A force spokesman confirmed he is set to appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court on September 9. Now, an insider has revealed what the actor's co-stars really think of him, with his arrest sparking a "favouritism" row on the Square.

One Walford insider told the outlet that the EastEnders lot are getting fed up that certain stars are regarded as "holy" and "untouchable". It comes after Shane was granted time off later this year to rake in a staggering six-figure paycheque when he takes part in a panto performance at the end of the year.

They told The Sun: "Nothing will happen [to Shane]. Nothing ever does for the favourites. Jessie [Wallace] and Shane are both given time off to effectively double their salaries, while others aren't allowed unless it works for the show.

"They say it's down to the story, but when it's the same people allowed time off time and time again, then it seems like it's not about the story and more about keeping a select few happy."

It comes after video footage from the scene reportedly shows him getting into a heated argument with members of staff after he was challenged about using an e-cigarette on the petrol station forecourt. Staff approached him to alert him to the fact that he could not smoke there, to which he replied: "It's not smoking, it's a vape".

In the footage, obtained by The Sun, Richie is heard replying: "What, you're filming me? All right, I'm going to film you." As he walked back towards his car, he said: "This is not a vape." After another member of staff reiterates it is a vape and poses a "risk" at a petrol station, Richie responded: "Yeah, I don't give a f***."

He then sought assistance from two female members of staff outside the kiosk, asking them to do him "a favour" by telling the person recording him to "go away". At this point, one of the women identified herself as the store manager before calling the police.

In the footage, she tells the officers over the phone: "He started getting aggressive, and he started vaping, so smoking an electric cigarette." Richie continued to deny this, insisting: "Not smoking a cigarette."

The police arrived at the scene a short time later, with Essex Police later confirming the arrest. Express.co.uk has contacted representatives for Shane Richie and BBC EastEnders representatives for a comment.