THE man who allegedly broke into the set of TV soap EastEnders and confronted actor Shane Ritchie was today revealed as Raymond Taylor, from Accrington.

The 34-year-old was due to appear at St Alban's Magistrate's Court in Hertfordshire yesterday charged with going equipped for theft.

But he failed to turn up, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Taylor, of Cedar Street, was arrested after an intruder apparently broke into the EastEnders Elstree studios in Hertfordshire, and approached stars Shane Ritchie, who plays Alfie Moon, and actress Jessie Wallace, who plays the square's Kat Slater.

It has been reported that the intruder walked in on Friday while filming was going on, and announced" "I'm here for the acting lessons."

Security men apparently grabbed the culprit and held him until police arrived. Officers found a screwdriver and wire-cutters in his backpack.

The BBC refused to comment.