Shane Richie 'comforted by co-star Marianne 'Mazz' Murray after marriage split from Christine Goddard' - as EastEnders star's divorce is finalised

Shane Richie, the British actor best known for his role as Alfie Moon in the BBC soap EastEnders, has finalized his divorce from his wife, Christine Goddard, after nearly two decades of marriage. The split, which came to a close on July 23, 2026, follows a period of growing tension within the couple. According to multiple reports, the decision was made by Christine, who reportedly grew frustrated with Shane's behavior and ultimately decided to pursue the separation after discussing it with family members. The divorce marks the end of a long-standing union that saw the couple raise three children together. Shane, 62, faced additional challenges shortly after the divorce was finalized. On July 29, he was charged with drink-driving following a confrontation at a Tesco petrol station in Harlow, Essex. Police were called after Shane allegedly argued with staff, leading to his arrest. This incident has sparked further public scrutiny, particularly given the timing of the divorce proceedings. A source close to the situation told The Sun that Christine was deeply shocked by the charge and hoped it would serve as a wake-up call for Shane. In the midst of these personal and legal difficulties, Shane has reportedly found support from his longtime friend and co-star, Marianne "Mazz" Murray. The two actors, who have shared the screen in both EastEnders and the 1999 film Boogie Nights, have maintained a close bond over the years. According to insiders, Mazz has offered emotional support to Shane during this difficult time. A source described their relationship as "like a house on fire," highlighting the strength of their friendship. Mazz, 51, is said to have helped Shane regain some sense of stability and joy, keeping a smile on his face and bringing a renewed energy to his life. Mazz has worked extensively with Shane throughout his career. She played the character Miranda, who had a romantic entanglement with Alfie Moon, during two separate runs on EastEnders in 2004. In 2017, she portrayed a character named Julie, and more recently, she returned to the show as Joel Murray’s mother, Cleo Marshall. Their collaboration extended beyond television, as they starred together in Boogie Nights, where Mazz played the role of Debs alongside Shane’s portrayal of Roddy. The film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, became a critical and commercial success, cementing their professional partnership. Christine Goddard, 47, has remained central to the narrative surrounding the divorce. A source told The Sun that she felt overwhelmed by the strain on their marriage and that the decision to separate was not taken lightly. The couple had previously faced speculation about their marital status, particularly after it was reported that Christine had been removed from her position as director of their joint production company, Bluebelle Skye Productions, in June 2026. This move left her with little influence over the business ventures they had jointly managed since 2017. Despite this, the source noted that Christine has not evicted Shane from their £2 million family home, indicating that their primary focus remains on their children. As Shane navigates the aftermath of the divorce and the legal consequences of his drink-driving offense, his relationship with Mazz appears to be evolving. While there is no official confirmation of any new developments, insiders suggest that their friendship has deepened in recent months. With Shane facing both personal and professional challenges, the continued presence of Mazz offers a potential source of emotional relief and camaraderie. Whether this dynamic will lead to anything more remains uncertain, but for now, it seems that Mazz is providing Shane with much-needed support during a turbulent chapter in his life.