Shane Richie and his wife divorce after 19 years of marriage as she grew ‘fed up’ with EastEnders star’s behaviour

EASTENDERS star Shane Richie has divorced — after his wife grew “fed up” with his behaviour. The Alfie Moon actor, 62, and Christie, 47, are understood to have dissolved their 19-year marriage last month, days before his drink-drive arrest and rant at petrol station staff. EastEnders star Shane Richie has divorced — after his wife grew ‘fed up’ with his behaviour Credit: Alamy The Sun told two weeks ago how Richie had been charged with drink-driving after being nicked at a Tesco petrol station Credit: SWNS The actress, 47, confirmed the end of their 19-year marriage when asked at their £2million home. Their divorce is understood to have been finalised on July 23 — six days before the forecourt fracas in Harlow, Essex. Sign up for the Eastenders newsletter Thank you! A source said: “Christie was at the end of her tether with Shane and had had enough. “The divorce was her decision and she pursued it after talking it through with relatives. READ MORE ON SHANE RICHIE “She had put up with a lot over the years and has had a really hard time of things lately. “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. There is a feeling he has been working hard and playing hard and that his behaviour has spiralled a bit. Most read in TV Ex-Pontins bluecoat Richie and former waitress Christie started dating in 2001 Credit: Rex Features The actress yesterday confirmed the end of their 19-year marriage when asked at their home Credit: Getty “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.” The Sun told two weeks ago how Richie, real name Shane Roche, had been charged with drink-driving after being nicked at a Tesco petrol station. Footage at 11pm showed him clutching an e-cig and arguing with staff. After being told vaping on the forecourt was dangerous, the snarling star was heard saying: “I don’t give a f***.” Staff called police and he is due in court next month. Our source added: “Christie had divorced Shane by then but was still shocked at what happened. Shane might have been pushed over the edge because of the split. “But it showed Christie was right to fear he had spiralled. It was no way to behave and she hopes it will be a wake-up call to him.” Ex-Pontins bluecoat Richie and former waitress Christie started dating in 2001 when the casts of their separate pantomimes, Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk, met for a drink. Christie later said she believed their romance was “meant to be”. Sources said his new hours on the BBC soap put further strain on the marriage Credit: BBC Shane, pictured last week on the set of EastEnders, has been charged by police over the petrol station incident Credit: ISO In 2005, Richie proposed with a diamond ring and by having “Will you marry me?” iced into her 26th birthday cake. They wed in 2007 and have kids Mackenzie Blue, 20, Lolita Bell, 18, and Romani-Skye Angel Shelley, 15. Richie was accused of playing away during the marriage, as he admitted doing with his first wife, singer Coleen Nolan. The actor recently announced new dates for his Prat Pack tour with TV pals Bradley Walsh, Joe Pasquale and Brian Conley. A source said: “That tour is a double-edged sword. It might do Shane good to spend time with mates and get his head together. “But friends are also concerned that a month touring with his drinking buddies from the ’90s could do more harm than good.” Richie made his first appearance as loveable rogue Alfie in 2002. The character returned after three years away in 2022, and married Kat (Jessie Wallace) for a third time last year. Sources said his new hours on the BBC soap put further strain on the marriage. At their Surrey home, Christie said “yes” when asked if the divorce had been finalised but added: “I don’t want to comment, thank you.” Richie’s spokesman did not respond to a comment request. Infidelity, financial woe and drink rap Richie married singer Coleen Nolan in 1990 and they had two kids together Credit: Rex Features SHANE Richie has led a life worthy of EastEnders itself, with infidelity, money woes and a drink-driving arrest. He married singer Coleen Nolan in 1990, and they had two kids. But they split in 1999 after Richie cheated on her. Coleen later said she stayed in the marriage “two years too long”. Two years later, Richie was dating actress Christie Goddard, 15 years his junior, after they met in a pub. They announced their engagement in 2005 and wed two years later. They split in 1999 after Richie cheated on her and he later wed Christie Credit: Rex Features But in 2011 Richie’s fan club manager Alison Hall claimed they had a six-year affair up until 2009. Christie, mum to Richie’s three other kids, stood by him. We then revealed he kissed another woman after a TV awards bash in 2014. Their marriage survived but Christie has now divorced Richie. In the early 2000s, Richie found himself facing bankruptcy after sinking almost £700,000 into the film Shoreditch. But in 2002 he landed the role of cheeky Alfie Moon on EastEnders, securing his finances. The star was last month arrested for drink-driving — and is due in court next month. Comment now