I’m A Celeb’s Shane Richie marched 1,000 holidaymakers to a beach to welcome home a warship – but it turned out to be a car ferry.
Daft Shane, below, was told to leave the Isle of Wight after punters were furious at being let down.
He was a Bluecoat at Pontins when he landed himself in trouble in 1982.
He said: “The Falklands War had just finished and we got a fax from Pontins Head Office saying the Canberra was bringing troops home and would be passing the Isle of Wight.
The actor was once forced to leave the Isle of WIght after mistaking a car ferry for a warship (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
“I got up in the ballroom and told everyone that if they wanted to meet me outside reception at 6am, I’d gladly take them down to the beach where they could wave to the returning troops.”
Shane, 56, was stunned when 600 punters turned up with Union Jacks, hats, flags and bunting.
He said: “People were in tears, waving their flags and singing Land of Hope and Glory, cheering and patting me on the back.
Shane is best known for his role on EastEnders, playing Kat Slater’s ex Alfie Moon (Image: LightRocket via Getty Images)
“As it emerged through the fog I could finally read the name on the ship’s side… Sealink.
“I couldn’t believe it. It was only the car ferry from Cowes.”
In his book Rags to Richie, Shane said that the tourists were so mad he was forced out of his job.
He added: “The Canberra had taken a different route.
“They all stormed back to the camp and besieged the manager’s office. Word went round that it was a sick joke and the manager asked me to leave the island.”
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues tonight at 9pm on ITV.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
