Why did Alfie Moon leave as Shane Richie returns to EastEnders?-Rebecca Sayce-Entertainment – Metro

Alfie Moon is back (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

Explosive scenes lie ahead in Albert Square as Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) returns to EastEnders tonight after a three-year absence from the soap.

His return is sure to cause a stir among residents, especially with ex-wife Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) who dumped him following the discovery that he had fathered cousin Hayley’s (Katie Jarvis) baby.

And with Kat and Phil Mitchell’s (Steve McFadden) wedding on the horizon, it seems like there is no better time than now to set the stage for a showdown.

Here’s what you need to know about Alfie ahead of his grand return.

Who is Alfie Moon?

Alfie first appeared in the soap in 2002 after being ejected from Walford East tube station for fare evasion.

Alfie made quite the entrance to the Square 20 years ago (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

After acquainting himself with a few residents, he sneaks into The Queen Victoria public house and helps himself to a drink behind the bar.

A series of misunderstandings leads Queen Victoria landlady Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) into believing he is the new manager, Chris Wright, a lie that he goes along with until he is blackmailed by former police officer, Dougie Slade (John Bowler).

He is arguably best known for his turbulent relationship with, and later marriage to, Kat Slater.

The couple has split and reunited numerous times through the year, including a dramatic reunion between the pair moments after Alfie married Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons).

Alfie has featured in a number of huge stories in the soap, including the dementia and death of his grandmother, Nana Moon (Hilda Braid), and believing that Kat’s son Tommy Moon had died of cot death – however, in truth, their neighbour Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) had switched him with her own deceased child.

Why did Alfie Moon leave Albert Square?

Fans of the show waved goodbye to Alfie Moon back in 2019.

He fled the square after faking his own death to escape the debt he owed to Phil Mitchell after he stole £50,000 off him.

Alfie was forced to go on the run (Picture: BBC / Kieron McCarron)

The police arrived at the Slater house and told his wife, Kat, they’d found Alfie’s car abandoned at the top of a notorious suicide spot.

However, she then found the stolen money and received a text telling her he’d be home soon.

This wasn’t the first time the character had left the soap.

Alfie bid farewell in 2016 after he and Kat won £1million on a scratch card and the couple moved to Spain.

He made a shock return in 2018 after Hayley Slater became pregnant following a one-night stand between the pair.

What has Shane Richie said about his return?

Actor, TV presenter, comedian, and singer Shane, 58, has said it’s an ‘honour and privilege’ to return to Albert Square.

Shane has expressed his excitement to return to the soap (Picture: Eamonn M. McCormack / Getty Images)

‘I’m looking forward to catching up with some old cast mates and meeting some new ones,’ he continued.

‘The new exec producer Chris Clenshaw has been instrumental in wanting to bring Alfie Moon back with some wonderful storylines… and who am I to say no?! I can’t wait.’

Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer, added the show is ‘over the moon’ to have Alfie back.

‘Shane Richie created one of the most iconic, loveable and most memorable characters in soap, and to welcome him back to Walford is an absolute pleasure,’ he said.

‘A lot’s happened since Alfie’s been away from the Square but wherever his floral shirts go you can expect fun, frolics, and, of course, the odd porky-pie.’

EastEnders returns tonight at 8.30pm on BBC One.

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