EastEnders actor Shane Richie has denied drink-driving at Colchester Magistrates' Court after an incident at a petrol station forecourt.
The court hearing took place on Wednesday as a podcast clip was released in which his 37-year-old son, Shane Nolan, explained why he previously dropped his father's surname.
Richie, 62, appeared in court under his real name of Roche to dispute the prosecution evidence regarding comments he allegedly made during his arrest in July.
Forecourt confrontation and arrest
The charge follows an incident on July 29 when police were called to a petrol station forecourt just after 11pm.
Richie had driven his white Hyundai onto the forecourt, seemingly with a flat tyre, before becoming involved in an argument with staff after he was seen holding a large vape.
Video footage recorded by petrol station workers showed staff telling the soap star that he was not permitted to smoke on the premises because the vape posed a safety risk.
Holding the device, Richie insisted, "It's not smoking," before adding, "This is not a vape."
The footage captured Richie reaching inside his vehicle with his back turned to an employee, saying, "I don't give a f***."
As the petrol station manager called the police to report that Richie was acting aggressively, the actor told the individual recording the video that someone was on their way to change his tyre.
Police officers arrived at the scene shortly after 11pm on July 29, where Richie was arrested and subsequently charged with drink-driving.
Son explains dropping father's surname
On the same day as Richie's court appearance, the Nolan's Uncensored podcast shared a clip on Instagram in which his son Shane Nolan discussed his decision to drop his father's surname in 2017.
The 37-year-old performer, who previously went by Richie Jr, said he grew tired of being constantly compared to his famous father whenever he tried to build his own career.
Speaking on the podcast, Nolan said he wanted to clear the matter up because people often asked if he changed his name because he did not like his dad.
He explained that he had chatted with his father about the decision, but admitted that going by Richie Jr had been a real struggle because he faced constant comparisons wherever he went.
Nolan joked that the comparison was unfair on his father because he was so much better, before clarifying that the situation had been genuinely difficult during professional auditions.
He recalled that whenever he attended an audition, casting directors would ask him what his father was up to rather than asking about his own work.
His mother, Coleen Nolan, asked on the podcast whether people ever asked about her, to which Nolan replied that many people did not realize his parents had ever been together.
Career challenges and family reaction
Addressing his sister Ciara on the podcast, Nolan said it took a while for his career to get going after the name change, which he originally did partly in support of his mother.
When Ciara teased him by asking if he got more gigs out of changing his name, Nolan replied that he did not get more work for two or three years afterwards.
He explained that when he used the name Richie Jr he got booked regardless of quality, but added that he now much preferred his new surname and loved being a Nolan.
Shane Richie Snr and Coleen Nolan married in 1990 and had two sons together during their seven-year marriage.
The couple separated in 1997 after Richie cheated, and their divorce was finalized in 1999.
Jokes about arrest at Shepherd's Bush show
Shane Nolan previously poked fun at his father's arrest during a live comedy performance in August alongside his mother Coleen Nolan.
Appearing on stage at Bush Hall in Shepherd's Bush, West London, for their show titled This Is Me, Nolan joked with the audience before his mother took to the stage.
Addressing the crowd, he reportedly quipped that the more people drank, the funnier he became, before reminding audience members never to drink and drive.
When members of the crowd heckled him, Nolan replied that he was driving home and noted that there was lots to talk about regarding recent events.
He told the audience he would be taking his eight-month-old baby and his girlfriend back to Staffordshire after the show, emphasizing that he would not be driving because he was drinking that night.
During the same Bush Hall show in August, Nolan also offered a lighthearted explanation for switching his surname to Nolan back in 2017 when his mother appeared on Celebrity Big Brother.
He joked to the crowd that he had chosen to go with whichever parent was most famous at the time to get paid more, adding that his mum was smashing it.
Court proceedings and next steps
Following his initial court appearance on Wednesday, Richie's case will proceed through the legal system as he disputes the prosecution's evidence.
Colchester Magistrates' Court heard that the actor intends to challenge statements and evidence regarding comments attributed to him during the forecourt incident.
