EastEnders favourite Shane Richie is reportedly preparing to say goodbye to the Surrey home he shared with his family as he begins a new chapter following the end of his marriage to Christie Goddard.

The 62-year-old actor, best known to millions of viewers as Alfie Moon in the long-running BBC soap, has reportedly found a buyer for the five-bedroom property in Reigate.

The development comes shortly after news emerged that Richie and Christie, 47, had ended their marriage after nearly two decades together.

Their divorce was reportedly finalised on July 23, marking the end of a relationship that began more than two decades ago.

Family Home Set for New Owners

Richie and Christie are understood to have purchased their Reigate property in 2008, a year after they married.

The spacious home became the family’s base as the couple raised their three children together.

According to recent reports, the property was placed on the market in March and was advertised for around £1.75 million.

After spending several months searching for a buyer, the house is now reportedly listed as sold subject to contract, suggesting the sale is moving towards completion.

Should the transaction proceed as expected, it would mark another significant change for the former couple as they establish separate lives following their divorce.

Despite the breakdown of their marriage, reports suggest Richie and Christie have attempted to handle their separation with their children’s interests in mind.

Nearly Two Decades of Marriage

Richie and Christie married in 2007 after several years together.

They first became a couple in the early 2000s and later announced their engagement before tying the knot.

Their marriage produced three children — Mackenzie Blue, Lolita Bell and Romani-Skye.

Richie also has two older sons, Shane Jr and Jake, from his previous marriage to singer and television personality Coleen Nolan.

News of his latest divorce emerged in August, although the legal process had reportedly been completed several weeks earlier.

Christie confirmed that the marriage had ended when approached by reporters but declined to discuss the circumstances publicly in detail.

Reports surrounding the separation have suggested that there was no single event responsible for the marriage ending. Instead, tensions are said to have accumulated over time.

A Difficult Period for the EastEnders Actor

The property sale comes during an eventful period in Richie’s personal life.

Only days after his divorce was reportedly finalised, the actor was arrested following an incident in Essex.

He was subsequently charged with drink-driving and is expected to appear in court.

The episode has attracted considerable attention because of its proximity to the end of his marriage.

Neither Richie nor Christie has publicly provided a detailed account linking the two events, however, and the reasons behind the breakdown of their relationship remain largely private.

Away from his personal difficulties, Richie has continued with his professional commitments.

The actor remains closely associated with EastEnders, where his portrayal of Alfie Moon has made him one of the soap’s most recognisable stars.

From Entertainment Presenter to Albert Square Favourite

Richie’s career stretches well beyond Albert Square.

Before becoming a major soap star, he established himself as a television entertainer and presenter during the 1990s, appearing on programmes including Lucky Numbers and The Shane Richie Experience.

His career changed dramatically when he joined EastEnders in 2002.

Alfie quickly became a major character, particularly through his turbulent relationship with Kat Slater, played by Jessie Wallace.

Richie has left and returned to the programme on several occasions, with Alfie remaining closely connected to some of the show’s biggest storylines.

His latest return began in 2022 after several years away from Walford.

Previous Marriage to Coleen Nolan

Before meeting Christie, Richie was married to Loose Women panellist and singer Coleen Nolan.

The former couple married in 1990 and had two sons before separating later that decade.

Richie has previously spoken openly about mistakes he made during that relationship, including infidelity, and has discussed how fame and his lifestyle affected his first marriage.

Following his separation from Nolan, he began a relationship with Christie.

Despite occasional reports about difficulties during their marriage, Richie and Christie remained together for almost two decades before ultimately deciding to go their separate ways.

A New Beginning

The expected sale of the Reigate property now provides a visible sign of that transition.

Family homes often become closely tied to important periods in people’s lives, and the Surrey residence was where Richie and Christie spent much of their married life while raising their children.

With a buyer reportedly secured, both are now expected to have the opportunity to establish separate homes.

For Richie, the changes arrive while he remains busy professionally and continues his long-running association with one of British television’s biggest soaps.

The sale therefore represents more than a property transaction.

After 19 years of marriage and years spent raising a family together in Surrey, the closing of the door on the Reigate house appears to mark the end of one chapter — and the beginning of two separate ones.