This week in EastEnders, while spending an evening at the bar with his buddies, Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) encounters a distressing circumstance.
The adored character, who was given a prostate cancer diagnosis a year ago, laments the lack of support he is experiencing during radiation treatments and feels jealous when a fellow patient has family members come, leaving Alfie alone himself.
Later, after accepting Linda’s (Kellie Bright) drink offer, Alfie goes to the bar where Ian (Adam Woodyatt) and Billy (Perry Fenwick) also accompany him.
The evening gets off to a good start, but things take a turn for the worst when Alfie learns he won’t have time to use the toilet and ends up getting into an accident.
In a recent reflection, actor Shane Richie told us that he presented this scenario to producer Chris Clenshaw after experiencing something similar with a buddy.
“I asked Chris if we could do a scene where Alfie wets himself in front of people when I was first approached to do the prostate cancer storyline because it happened to a friend of mine who went through prostate cancer,” the actor stated.
When Alfie recognises he has to use the loo but is unable to get there in time, he loses his cool and yells at Patrick and Billy. Instead of offering an explanation. Even though you can feel Alfie’s discomfort when it occurs, he continues to lie about why it occurred.
“I completely underestimated the influence the programme could have,” Shane said, reflecting on Alfie’s current plot.
It has been a pleasure to be able to raise awareness of this specific illness, but it has also made me realise how widespread it is. Naturally, I’ve received texts, but I’ve also had strangers approach me on the street and say, “I really appreciate you bringing this to my attention.” One individual in particular saw Alfie’s suffering and informed his family as a consequence.
He said that the strength to do it came from watching EastEnders. It will be worthwhile if we can change things and raise awareness about prostate cancer.
“It has been difficult for Alfie, particularly in keeping everything under wraps because Kat, Phil, and Linda are the only ones who are aware of it,” he said.
“Alfie is feeling pressured by Linda to inform and welcome more people, but in true Alfie fashion, he doesn’t want to burden anyone.” After 20 years of clinging to the secrets and troubles of others, he suddenly has one of his own.
Over the years, Alfie has always been one to counsel people and share his difficulties; after all, “a problem shared is a problem halved.” However, on this particular occasion, Alfie isn’t taking his own advise. Seeing Alfie go through that anguish and keep it to himself, in my opinion, has been a bit of a downhill spiral.
Later in the week, Alfie will go back to the bar to catch up with his pals and ultimately have the confidence to inform them about his disease.
Shane said, “I think it’s because they are his history,” when talking about the reason Alfie confides in Ian and Billy.
“On the Square, they are his closest friends.” When you consider it, Kat and Phil Mitchell both learned about it by sheer happenstance. In the novel, Alfie experienced a number of events that were beyond of his control; yet, at this point, he confides in them, and Linda persuaded him to do so. There is a 22-year connection and bond there since Ian has supported Alfie over the years at the weddings, with Billy, Little Mo, and Freddie.
Therefore, Ian and Billy were going to be the ones to sympathise with and stick by him. It seems as if someone has lifted a burden off his shoulders when he informs them. It’s also intriguing to note how angry they are with him for keeping them in the dark and handling things alone.
“Telling them about Alfie makes him feel ecstatic.”
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