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Shane Richie is reportedly being comforted by his musicals and soap co-star Marianne 'Mazz' Murray following his split from wife Christine Goddard.

It was revealed last week that the actor, who plays Alfie Moon in the BBC soap, and his wife Christie have officially divorced after 19 years of marriage.

Their divorce was said to have been finalised on July 23 – just six days before the actor, 62, was charged with drink-driving after police were called following a row with petrol station staff when he was challenged at the Tesco petrol station in Harlow, Essex.

And amid his woes, it is said that actress Marianne, 51, whom Shane appeared with in Boogie Nights, has 'kept a smile on his face' and 'put a spring back in his step'.

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. They make each other laugh, trust and like each other so it’s no surprise they’ve grown closer.

Shane Richie is reportedly being comforted by his musicals and soap co-star Marianne 'Mazz' Murray following his split from wife Christine Goddard [pictured with Christine in 2019]

Amid his woes, it is said that actress Marianne, 51, [pictured] whom Shane appeared with in Boogie Nights, has 'kept a smile on his face' and 'put a spring back in his step'

'It’s early days, but Shane and Mazz have a spark, and friends are looking forward to seeing where their relationship goes.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Shane's representatives for comment.

Mazz has known Shane for a long time, having appeared alongside him in several guest stints on EastEnders, including two spells as a character called Miranda in 2004 who flirted with his character Alfie.

She also appeared in a single episode in 2017 as a woman called Julie, while most recently, she returned to Albert Square last month to play Joel Murray's mum Cleo Marshall.

Meanwhile, Mazz also acted alongside Shane in 1999 musical Boogie Nights, playing Debs alongside Shane's Roddy.

Shane and Christie's split was said to have been prompted by Christie, 47, getting 'fed-up with his spiralling behaviour'.

'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,' a source told The Sun.

'There was not one specific incident that led to the end, but a build-up of things. She got fed up with his behaviour and did not take the decision lightly.

Mazz acted alongside Shane in 1999 musical Boogie Nights [Shane and Mazz pictured with Boogie Nights co-star Grace Kennedy]

'There is a feeling he has been working hard and playing hard and that his behaviour has spiralled a bit.'

There had been reported questions over their marriage after it was previously claimed that Christie was terminated as director of their joint company Bluebelle Skye Productions in June so now has no control over the business empire they have run together since 2017.

The source added Christie hasn't kicked him out of their £2million family home and that her main concern is their three children.

They claimed she was 'shocked' by Shane's drink-drive arrest and hopes it will be a 'wake-up call' for the actor.