Shane Richie comforted by co-star after marriage split

Actor Shane Richie is being comforted by his soap and musical co-star Marianne 'Mazz' Murray following his split from wife Christine Goddard, after their 19-year marriage officially ended in divorce.

The divorce between the 62-year-old EastEnders actor and Goddard, 47, was finalised on July 23. Just six days later, on July 29, Richie was charged with drink-driving after police were called to a row with petrol station staff at a Tesco forecourt in Harlow, Essex.

Amid his ongoing personal troubles, friends say actress Murray, 51, has kept a smile on his face and put a spring back in his step as the pair support each other following their respective marital splits.

A source told The Sun: "Shane and Mazz have always got on like a house on fire and in recent months, as his marriage crumbled, Shane's found himself buoyed by their friendship."

"She's had a painful split of her own so the pair have found solace sharing their experiences," the source added. "They make each other laugh, trust and like each other so it's no surprise they've grown closer. It's early days, but Shane and Mazz have a spark, and friends are looking forward to seeing where their relationship goes."

Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Richie for comment.

Shared history on screen and stage

Murray and Richie share a long professional history together. In 1999, Murray starred alongside Richie in the jukebox stage musical Boogie Nights, playing the role of Debs opposite Richie's lead character, Roddy.

She has also made several guest appearances on BBC soap EastEnders, where Richie plays pub landlord Alfie Moon in the fictional London setting of Albert Square. Murray first appeared on the soap in 2004 as Miranda, a character who flirted with Alfie during two guest stints.

Murray returned for a single episode in 2017 as a woman named Julie, and most recently returned to Albert Square last month to play Cleo Marshall, the mother of character Joel Murray.

Breakdown of 19-year marriage

The end of Richie's 19-year marriage was reportedly initiated by Goddard after she became fed up with his spiralling behaviour. The couple had run a joint business empire together since 2017.

A source told The Sun: "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. She had put up with a lot over the years and has had a really hard time of things lately."

The insider explained that there was no single incident that triggered the breakup, but rather a gradual build-up of issues. "She got fed up with his behaviour and did not take the decision lightly," the source said. "There is a feeling he has been working hard and playing hard and that his behaviour has spiralled a bit."

Speculation regarding their marriage intensified after Goddard was terminated in June as a director of their joint firm, Bluebelle Skye Productions, leaving her with no control over the business.

Goddard has not asked Richie to leave their £2million family home, as her primary focus remains their three children. She was reportedly shocked by his recent drink-driving arrest and hopes the incident serves as a wake-up call for the actor.