Shane Richie and wife ‘divorce after 19 years’ as she’s ‘fed up’ of behaviour
Christie Richie has reportedly split with Eastenders star Shane after nearly two decades of marriage as sources say it's her decision
Actor Shane Richie and his wife Christie Goddard in 2012(Image: Getty Images)
Shane Richie has split from his wife Christie after she grew ‘fed up’ of his recent behaviour.
It comes a month after the EastEnders star was charged with drink-driving after an incident at a Tesco petrol station in Essex.
The actor, 62, who is best known for playing Alfie Moon on the BBC soap, is due to appear before magistrates in September after police were called to the forecourt in Harlow on Wednesday night (July 29).
Now Christie, 47, and the star are understood to have dissolved their 19-year marriage, according to The Sun.
I’m A Celeb’s Shane Richie(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
A source told the paper: “Christie was at the end of her tether with Shane and had enough. The divorce was her decision after talking it through with relatives. She had put up with a lot over the years and has had a really hard time of things lately.”
The source added: “There was not one specific incident that led to the end, but a build-up of things. She got fed up with his behaviour and did not take the decision lightly.
“Christie has been grown-up about it and not booted him out. She still has a lot of love for him but decided they could not go on as husband and wife. They have three children together so that is her main concern.”
Video obtained by The Sun appears to show Richie in a heated exchange with members of staff after he was challenged about using an e-cigarette on the petrol station forecourt. According to the publication, Richie had driven onto the forecourt shortly after 11pm in a white Hyundai that reportedly had a flat tyre.
Staff approached him and told him he could not smoke on the forecourt. The actor replied: “It’s not smoking, it’s a vape.”
Shane Richie, Christie Goddard and family attend the Gala performance of Wind In The Willows at London Palladium on June 29, 2017 (Image: Getty Images)
Footage reportedly shows Richie holding up the silver e-cigarette before gesturing towards members of staff.
One employee can then be heard telling Richie they were recording the incident. “I have to get it on video for the police. That is a vape and that’s a risk in this petrol station,” the worker says.
Richie is then heard replying: “What, you’re filming me? All right, I’m going to film you.” As he walked back towards his vehicle, he said: “This is not a vape.”
Richie and Christie (Image: Collect Unknown)
When another member of staff responded that it was a vape and posed a “risk” at a petrol station, Richie replied: “Yeah, I don’t give a f***.”
One of the women identified herself as the manager before calling police. According to the footage, the manager told officers over the phone: “He started getting aggressive and he started vaping, so smoking an electric cigarette.”
He then approached two female members of staff outside the kiosk and asked: “Can you do me a favour? Tell him to go away.”
Richie and former waitress Christie started dating back in 2001 when the casts of their separate pantomimes, Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk, linked up for a drink. Christie later stated she and her ex-partner were “meant to be”.
Richie proposed to Christie in 2005 with a diamond ring and the message “Will you marry me?” iced into her 26th birthday cake. The couple tied the knot in 2007 and have three children together, Mackenzie Blue, 20, Lolita Bell, 18, and Romani-Skye Angel Shelley, 15.
Richie was previously accused of stepping out of the marriage, as he later admitted to having an affair with his first wife, singer Coleen Nolan.
