EastEnders star Shane Richie finalized his divorce from wife Christie after 19 years, days before being arrested for drink-driving in Essex. The actor, known for his role as Alfie Moon, faces court on September 9 following the incident.
EastEnders star Shane Richie, 62, has ended his 19-year marriage to Christie Goddard, with the divorce finalized in July 2026, just days before he was arrested for drink-driving in Harlow, Essex. The actor, whose real name is Shane Roche, was detained on July 29 after officers responded to reports of a suspected drunk driver. A charge of drink-driving has been authorized against him, and he is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on September 9, according to Digitalspy.
EastEnders star Shane Richie divorces wife after 19 years
The couple, who met in 2001 and married in 2007, reportedly faced a long period of tension culminating in Christie’s decision to end the relationship. A source cited by Metro.co.uk stated that Christie had “had enough” of Shane’s behavior, though no single incident was cited as the trigger. The divorce was finalized on July 23, with Christie reportedly not taking the decision lightly. The couple has three children together, and while the split was mutual, Christie chose not to “boot” Shane out of their £2million shared home, opting for “grown-up” resolution, per Metro.co.uk.
Richie, who first joined EastEnders in 2002, has had a storied career on the BBC soap, including a six-year stint and repeated returns. His character, Alfie Moon, has been central to numerous storylines, including a dramatic arc involving his on-screen daughter, Zoe Slater. Recent reports suggest Zoe’s storyline may be concluding, with actor Michelle Ryan set to leave the show, according to Digitalspy. The actor’s personal life has increasingly intersected with public scrutiny, including a recent altercation at a Tesco garage where he was filmed arguing with staff over vaping restrictions, as reported by Metro.co.uk.
Shane Richie's wife of 19 years divorces him after
The drink-driving arrest occurred after officers were called to Church Langley Way in Harlow at 11:20pm on July 29. According to Essex Police, Richie was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. A statement from the force noted that officers arrived and detained him, leading to the charge being authorized. The incident followed a prior confrontation at a Tesco garage, where Richie was filmed swearing at staff over vaping rules, prompting a police response. A source told Metro.co.uk that Richie’s behavior during the Tesco incident was “extraordinary” and “stupid,” with staff initially unaware of his identity. The manager described him as “aggressive” before police were called, per Metro.co.uk.
EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast. The new edition of Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Ariana Grande, is here! Buy Ariana Grande in newsagents or online.
