Mr Richie first came to prominence after working as a Pontins bluecoat and stand‑up comedian before moving into television game shows and sketch comedy. He joined EastEnders in 2002, with his character Alfie Moon quickly becoming one of the BBC soap’s most popular figures. Away from Albert Square, Mr Richie has fronted prime‑time TV shows, appeared in major stage musicals and pursued a parallel career as a recording artist. He also has strong links to Oxford’s theatre scene, having performed at the New Theatre in 2006 in a production of Scrooge. The New Theatre was one of a string of venues on the national run, giving city audiences a chance to see Mr Richie perform live alongside his long‑time friends.