Shane Richie, 62, divorces wife of 19 years days before arrest

EastEnders actor Shane Richie, 62, and his wife Christie Goddard, 47, have officially divorced after 19 years of marriage, with the finalization occurring just days before the actor was arrested on a drink-driving charge. The marriage was legally dissolved on July 23, 2026, according to multiple reports.

The separation concludes a relationship that began when the couple met in a pub in 2001 and married in 2007. They have three children together. The divorce was reportedly initiated by Goddard, who sources described as having reached the end of her tether with Richie's behavior. "She had put up with a lot over the years and has had a really hard time of things lately," a source said. "The divorce was her decision, and she pursued it after talking it through with relatives." Another source noted that while she still has love for him, she decided they could not continue as husband and wife.

Just six days after the divorce was finalized, on July 29, 2026, Richie was involved in an incident at a Tesco petrol station in Harlow, Essex. Staff challenged him for vaping on the forecourt shortly before 11:20 p.m., citing safety concerns. Footage of the encounter showed Richie becoming...