Chelmsford: Shane's surprise visit

EastEnders star Shane Richie meets Tanya Leeder

The actor, who plays Queen Vic landlord Alfie Moon, turned up out of the blue at 20-year-old Tanya's Byron Road home after hearing about her struggle with the disease.

Tanya, who has been suffering from leukaemia for three years, is undergoing radiotherapy as well as spending periods in St Bart's Hospital, London, recovering from infections brought on by the weakness of her immune system.

She was due to enter Farleigh Hospice yesterday.Her mother Dawn Byrne had tried to arrange a meeting with Pop Idol singer Gareth Gates, but his agents refused to return her calls, and she eventually contacted Shane through a family friend.

"Shane called up on the phone and told me to put the kettle on. Not long afterwards he pulled up on the drive in his four-by-four, having come straight from filming.

"He was here for about an hour, signing autographs and posing for photos. He told Tanya what was coming up on EastEnders, and called Christopher Parker (his on-screen brother Spencer) on his mobile to talk to her.

"He was lovely, just so down to earth, a really wonderful guy. I can't believe he just came round here on his own.

"Before leaving, Shane presented her with a signed script from a recent episode, original photos from Alfie's wedding to Kat, and arranged for signed pictures from the rest of the cast to turn up a few days later.

Tanya said afterwards: "I couldn't believe that Shane Richie was in my house! It was just amazing."

Published Thursday May 27, 2004

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