EastEnders' Shane Richie pitched heartbreaking Alfie Moon scene
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EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders star Shane Ritchie pitched a heartbreaking scene to show bosses involving his character Alfie Moon.
The beloved Alfie is currently undergoing a plot line involving treatment for prostate cancer, which includes a scene where he wets himself in the iconic Vic pub while there for drinks with friends Ian, Linda and Billy.
Linda had invited Alfie to get his spirits up after having to undergo radiotherapy by himself. The plan works, until Alfie can't get to the toilet in time – and the heartbreaking scene was thought up by Ritchie himself.
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"When I was first approached to do the prostate cancer storyline I asked Chris [Clenshaw, EastEnders producer] if we could do a scene where Alfie wets himself in front of people," Ritchie explained. "Because it happened to a friend of mine who went through prostate cancer."
Ritchie continued: "Alfie realises he needs to go to the toilet but he can’t make it in time, and instead of explaining what is going on he loses his temper and shouts at Patrick and Billy.
"When it happens you can see the embarrassment with Alfie, but even then he still lies about why it’s happened."
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Although reluctant, Alfie shares his diagnosis with his friends.
"If anybody is going to understand and support him it is going to be Ian and Billy," Ritchie explained.
"When he tells them it’s like somebody’s taken a weight off his shoulders. It’s also interesting how upset they are about the fact that he didn’t tell them and was going through it on his own. There’s something euphoric about it [telling them] for Alfie."
Ritchie also admitted that he "totally underestimated" the impact that telling a story like this could have on audiences.
He added of the one thing he wanted viewers to take away from the storyline: "There is treatment out there and support, and being able to ask for it and not being frightened to ask for it."
For more information on Alfie's prostate cancer storyline in EastEnders, you can find resources through the BBC Action Line website, or on 08000 560 190 at any time for a record message. Viewers are also encouraged to contact Prostate Cancer UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.
EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage
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