Actor Shane Richie, 62, and his wife Christie Goddard, 47, have officially divorced after 19 years of marriage, according to reports. The finalization of their divorce occurred on July 23, six days before Richie was charged with drink-driving following an altercation at a petrol station.
Richie was reportedly challenged by staff at a Tesco petrol station in Harlow, Essex, on July 29, after he was seen vaping on the premises. Footage from the incident shows Richie engaging with staff, asserting that vaping is not smoking. Police were called to the scene, and Richie was subsequently arrested and charged.
Sources indicate that Goddard initiated the divorce, feeling "fed-up with his spiralling behaviour" after enduring difficult times over the years. The decision was reportedly not the result of a single incident but a culmination of factors, with Christie Goddard feeling she had "had enough." Her primary concern remains their three children.
Goddard was reportedly "shocked" by Richie's drink-drive arrest and hopes it will serve as a "wake-up call." She was also terminated as a director of their joint company, Bluebelle Skye Productions, in June, ending her control over their business empire established in 2017.
Richie, known for his role as Alfie Moon on "EastEnders," married Goddard in 2007, having met in 2001. The actor has a history of relationship complexities, including a previous marriage to Loose Women star Coleen Nolan from 1990 to 1999, with whom he shares a son. Richie has publicly admitted to infidelity during that marriage and has spoken about how alcohol affected his first marriage.
He is due to appear in court next month in relation to the drink-driving charge. It is an offense to smoke at petrol stations due to flammability risks, though vaping is not a specific offense, petrol station companies prohibit it due to similar concerns.