It was a scene not dissimilar to one penned by EastEnders scriptwriters. In an astonishing video, Shane Richie, one of the BBC soap's biggest stars, launched a furious and expletive tirade at staff working at a Tesco petrol station in Essex after they told him to stop vaping on the forecourt.

Richie, who plays the lovable rogue Alfie Moon, was seen drunkenly shouting 'f off' and 'I don't give a f' when he was informed by the employees that it was dangerous.

Fans of EastEnders might assume he too would be read the riot act by BBC bosses.

However, on-set sources say not, which has left some of his younger co-stars 'furious' and have accused the show's chiefs of 'double standards and favouritism' as they believe they would have been punished, or even sacked.

Instead, Richie, who was previously married to Loose Women panellist Coleen Nolan, has been allowed to take part in a stage show called the Prat Pack tour later this month alongside Bradley Walsh, Brian Conley and Joe Pasquale, and appear in pantomime as Muddles in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs alongside Steps star Faye Tozer in Southend in December.

My source says: 'Senior bosses are sticking by Shane for now, they have been in contact with him and they have even offered him words of wisdom. Shane was on the front page of a red top newspaper where he was shouting because he couldn’t vape, it was atrocious.

‘BBC bosses hate it when their soap stars are in the headlines for anything other than their acting. If it wasn’t one of the legendary stars , they would have most certainly been dragged in and reprimanded for their behaviour.

'Thankfully for the bosses who are not regarded to have treated him fairly, Shane is due to leave the show soon for his stage show and panto work, which was planned with the approval of management months ago.

Shane Richie, one of EastEnders' biggest stars, launched a furious tirade at staff working at a Tesco petrol station in Essex after they told him to stop vaping on the forecourt

'It has acted as a safety barrier for EastEnders and relieved bosses don't have to be seen to be taking immediate action but this has caused a lot of upset amongst his co-stars who are furious that he has been allowed to just get away with it.

'It stinks of double standards and the bosses having favourites, there is a lot of anger behind the scenes on EastEnders right now.’

EastEnders insiders say that younger cast members claim there are different rules for them compared to stars considered to be the 'favourites' by soap bosses and Richie's tirade has reignited the chatter.

Indeed, the likes of Jessie Wallace, 54, who plays Kat Slater and Steve McFadden, 67, known for his role as Phil Mitchell, have both engaged in much off-screen drama yet are both still cast members.

Meanwhile, Melissa Suffield, 33, who played Lucy Beale, exited the show under a cloud when she was a teenager for alleged 'unruly behaviour' and underage drinking.

'Some younger actors are extremely annoyed as they know if it was them in this situation, there would not even be a discussion with bosses, they would be dismissed on the spot for bringing the show into disrepute. They just know they would be sacked.'

Another angered source tells me: 'Perhaps [Richie] could focus on his actual job like the rest of us have to. We can't all get months off at a time to take on lucrative offers for panto and tours.

'There's a real split at the moment but Shane's a favourite so few are willing to speak up for fear of reprisals. Others have been sacked for less.'

The actor was later arrested and charged with drink driving after swearing at staff members

Fans of EastEnders might assume he too would be read the riot act by BBC bosses after his petrol station tirade

Father-of-five Richie was brought on as Alfie Moon in 2002 by then executive producer Louise Berridge at a time when the show was facing criticism from viewers for its 'doom and gloom' storylines.

Cheeky-chappie and serial charmer Alfie was an instant hit with EastEnders' then nightly viewership of 12million and he played the role until his first exit in 2005. He subsequently returned in 2010 where he took over the iconic Queen Vic pub with his on-screen lover Kat Slater. He made another comeback in 2022 and has remained on screen until now.

'There's little sympathy for Shane at Elstree,' my mole continued. 'People who earn nothing compared to him are expected to feel sorry for him because he's struggling with his workload but yet he's the one taking on extra work for extra money.'

After the petrol station rant, the actor was arrested and charged with drink driving.

Richie, 62, will face the magistrates' court in Colchester next month - which comes after something of a colourful past.

Having begun his career as a bluecoat entertainer in Pontins Holiday Camp on the Isle of Wight, he revealed in his 2003 memoir how he had sex with six women at the same time in a chalet while in the role.

He also cheated on Coleen, the mother of his two sons Shane Jnr and Jake, with dancer and actress Claire Taylor between 1990 and 1999. The affair led to the end of their marriage.

Richie has been married to his second wife, actress Christie Goddard, since 2007 and they have three children together, Mackenzie Blue, 20, Lolita-Belle 18, and 15-year-old Romani-Skye.

EastEnders insiders say younger cast members claim there are different rules for them compared to stars seen to be the 'favourites' by soap bosses, such as Richie's Alfie Moon

Despite his arrest, Richie's plans to appear in both a stage show next month and a Christmas panto remain in place, giving rise to allegations of 'favouritism' among the EastEnders cast

Shane Richie with his first wife Coleen Nolan at the National TV Awards, London, in 1997

Three years ago he revealed he had been through therapy for his temper after growing up with an abusive father and said he barely touches alcohol now.

Richie made his terrestrial television debut on BBC One in 1990, starring as a comic on sketch show Up To Something.

Despite his reputation as something of a 'badboy', Richie has enjoyed an illustrious career, winning roles in musicals such as Boogie Nights and Grease where he played lead character Danny Zuko in the London revival of the 70s romcom. (During this time he risked the wrath of the law by giving free tickets to touts, who then went on to sell them for Richie at a profit).

He has also hosted game shows Don't Forget The Lyrics for Sky, Lucky Numbers, Win Your Wishlist and Reflect for the BBC.

'Shane has a real naughty past,' says my source. 'And he behaved badly at the petrol station yet in 2026, he's still allowed to get away with it.'