Shane Richie

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• Comedy

SHANE RICHIE is an English actor, television personality, comedian, actor, singer and television presenter. Richie is probably best known for playing Alfie Moon in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders.

The Early Years

Richie was a member of a youth theatre as a child, and began his professional career as a bluecoat entertainer in Pontins holiday camps whilst still a teenager. He progressed to the live stand up circuit - receiving a nomination for best new stand-up at the inaugural British Comedy Awards - and made his first high-profile television appearances as one of five comics on the BBC One sketch show You Gotta Be Jokin.'

Television

He later branched out into anchoring game shows after proving successful as host of the kids' quiz Run The Risk which was played during the BBC Saturday morning show Going Live. He moved into mainstream presenting with Caught In The Act, Win, Lose Or Draw, The Shane Richie Experience (later revamped as Love Me Do) and Lucky Numbers. He also replaced Danny Baker in the 'doorstep challenge' TV ads for Daz detergent - ironically, he had previously replaced Baker as host of Win, Lose Or Draw.

Musicals

Richie was a success in musicals - including the 1970s-based Boogie Nights and a London production of Grease - so tried branching out into other types of singing and acting. He released two albums, and almost scored a Number 1 single in the UK Singles Chart, with his Children In Need single, a cover version of George Michael's "I'm Your Man".

Alfie Moon

As Alfie Moon, Richie received immediate acclaim for bringing humour to a programme often panned for being too depressing. The role won him numerous awards including the award for Best male european actor at the Rose D'or Festival and National Television Award for Most popular actor in 2005, shortly before he left the programme.

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