Shane Richie and his wife Christie have ended their 19-year marriage, with sources saying the split was her decision after she grew 'fed up' of his recent behaviour.
Marriage ends after drink-driving charge
The news comes a month after the EastEnders star was charged with drink-driving following an incident at a Tesco petrol station in Essex. Richie, 62, who is best known for playing Alfie Moon on the BBC soap, is due to appear before magistrates in September after police were called to the forecourt in Harlow on Wednesday night (July 29).
Christie, 47, and the star are understood to have dissolved their marriage, according to The Sun. A source told the paper: "Christie was at the end of her tether with Shane and had enough. The divorce was her decision 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."
Footage shows heated exchange
Video obtained by The Sun appears to show Richie in a heated exchange with members of staff after he was challenged about using an e-cigarette on the petrol station forecourt. According to the publication, Richie had driven onto the forecourt shortly after 11pm in a white Hyundai that reportedly had a flat tyre.
Staff approached him and told him he could not smoke on the forecourt. The actor replied: "It's not smoking, it's a vape." Footage reportedly shows Richie holding up the silver e-cigarette before gesturing towards members of staff.
One employee can then be heard telling Richie they were recording the incident. "I have to get it on video for the police. That is a vape and that's a risk in this petrol station," the worker says. Richie is then heard replying: "What, you're filming me? All right, I'm going to film you." As he walked back towards his vehicle, he said: "This is not a vape."
When another member of staff responded that it was a vape and posed a "risk" at a petrol station, Richie replied: "Yeah, I don't give a f***."
Police called to the scene
One of the women identified herself as the manager before calling police. According to the footage, the manager told officers over the phone: "He started getting aggressive and he started vaping, so smoking an electric cigarette." He then approached two female members of staff outside the kiosk and asked: "Can you do me a favour? Tell him to go away."
