The Sun has revealed today how Richie has become the centre of a large bidding war between the two largest terrestrial channels, the BBC and ITV.
The BBC is said to have offered the EastEnders actor a major part in a Victorian period drama hoping to keep him on. However, ITV are hoping to lure him over with a police drama based at the Met in London.
A source said: "Shane is happy at EastEnders, but has never said he’ll be there forever. He has hinted he may leave next spring so the BBC are offering him other drama roles hoping he will take a break to try other projects then return to the soap. But ITV are also interested and have a police drama planned."
Despite the rumours, an EastEnders spokesperson said: "Shane has no immediate plans to go and there are some great storylines being lined up for him."
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