Intruder on EastEnders set
An intruder broke into the EastEnders studios and confronted stars Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace as they were filming the soap, it emerged today.
The stars, who play Alfie Moon and Kat Slater, were stunned as the man walked in and announced: "I'm here for the acting lessons."
Security men grabbed him and detained him until police arrived on the set.
Officers found a screwdriver and wire-cutters in his backpack.
The man had scaled a 12ft wall to get into the studios in Elstree, Herts.
Richie and Wallace were left shocked but unhurt after the incident on Friday afternoon.
An insider told The Sun: "Even though cameras were rolling, the man walked in front of them and said, 'All right, Shane, I'm here for the acting lessons'.
"Shane thought it was a joke at first. But a producer realised it was a serious situation and called security guards, who held the man down until the police arrived.
"They found tools including a screwdriver and wire-cutters which could have been used to attack Shane or other members of the cast.
"Bosses are now asking how a man could not only break into the set but walk straight into a scene without being spotted by security."
:: A 34-year-old man will appear in court tomorrow charged with going equipped for theft.
