Shane Richie thinks soaps have the “energy” to save lots of lives.
The 61-year-old actor has performed Alfie Moon on the BBC cleaning soap EastEnders on and off since 2002 and admitted that when his character was recognized with most cancers in 2023, the issue-based storyline really had a constructive impact on these in the actual world as a result of it impressed them to go to the docs for a checkup.
He advised The Solar on Sunday newspaper: “I used to be going to occasions, males my age have been coming as much as me, however largely girls, wives saying ‘thanks a lot for overlaying that storyline, as a result of my husband, my brother… they don’t need to go to the docs.’
“One man specifically, and I don’t personally take credit score for saving his life, however that storyline did.
“He bought checked. His daughter was an enormous EastEnders fan, and simply fairly casually mentioned, come on, we love Alfie, it is best to go and get checked and he did simply to appease his daughter.
“He came upon he had prostate most cancers nevertheless it was on the early phases, had it left in any longer it might have been deadly. So if we simply save one life, that’s the facility of soaps.”
Away from the cleaning soap, Shane not too long ago temped up with fellow TV stars Bradley Walsh, Brian Cknley and Joe Pasquale for a tour of their band The Pray Pack.
The quartet travelled the UK all through April and Could, and Shane thanked bosses of EastEnders for permitting him to take a break.
He mentioned: “It was one of the crucial sensible experiences I’ve had in a very long time.
“EastEnders are sensible at letting me go off. I did a whole lot of stuff earlier than I grew to become Alfie in order that they’re very accommodating, hopefully once more subsequent 12 months I’ll do the identical factor, one other tour.”
What’s extra, Netflix wished to movie behind the scenes on the tour however all of them declined.
He added: “We bought approached by Netflix to go behind the scenes, and we have been like, not a hope in hell!
“No, as a result of as soon as we do it the gags are gone. Possibly in 5 years time if we’re all nonetheless alive we might do it.”
