Shane Richie turns to Jessie Wallace for support amid divorce battle

Jessie, who plays Kat Slater, has been a 'shoulder to cry on for Shane'.Shane Richie has reportedly grown closer to his EastEnders co-star Jessie Wallace amid his divorce from his wife, Christie Goddard. The former couple's divorce was finalised on July 23 after 19 years of marriage. It has also been reported that Christie initiated the divorce proceedings after becoming fed up with his spiralling behaviour. But as he faces a tumultuous time in his personal life, Jessie, who plays Kat Slater, has been a 'shoulder to cry on for Shane'. An insider revealed: 'Jessie has been a shoulder to cry on for Shane. She voiced concern about his behaviour a while ago. He was clearly struggling and Jessie stepped up to support him. 'He’s been Jessie’s work husband for donkey’s years and she knows him inside out. The signs were there that he wasn’t in a good place and she’s been there for him ever since.' They told The Sun: 'Of course, they were always good friends, but have grown a lot closer throughout his break up.' Christie confirmed their divorce to the publication and has now changed her Facebook relationship status to 'divorced'. It is pertinent to mention that the former couple share three children and bought the house in 2008.