They are married, but not to each other. So it's a little surprising to see Ultimo boss Michelle Mone and actor Shane Richie walking along arm in arm. But there is apparently a simple, and innocent, explanation - Richie is 'tactile'. That's what a spokesman for the EastEnders actor said last night when asked about the pair's cosy stroll in London's Soho.
Richie, 46, and Mrs Mone, 38, hugged and clasped hands as they left the Hix restaurant and then linked arms as they made their way with friends to a karaoke bar, where they partied until 1am. Lingerie tycoon Mrs Mone met Richie during the filming of new ITV show 71 Degrees North, a celebrity reality show based on a North Pole expedition.
Days before setting out on the expedition, Mrs Mone said the greatest challenge would be spending time away from her husband Michael, who is a director of her bra empire, son Declan, 13, and daughters Rebecca, 17, and Bethany, ten. Richie, who returns to EastEnders next month as Alfie Moon, married Coleen Nolan in 1990, but they divorced in 1999 due to his infidelity. They have two sons. He married Christie Goddard, 30, in 2007 and they have two young children.
