Shane Richie and Coleen Nolan were married for nine years

EastEnders actor Shane Richie has shared what he really thinks about his ex-wife Coleen Nolan frequently discussing him on Loose Women.

The former couple, who tied the knot in 1990 but divorced in 1999, are parents to two sons, Shane Nolan, 36, and Jake Roche, 32.

Recently quizzed on his relationship with Coleen nowadays, the 61-year-old said that despite their past, they are “still good friends”.

The Alfie Moon actor couldn’t resist a cheeky jibe at his ex however, when asked if he watches her on the ITV show.

He told Bella Magazine: “I only watch Loose Women to see what I’m up to, and you can quote me on that.”

Those who are a part of Loose Women often share personal stories live on the show, which has included bringing up past ups and downs.

Coleen, 60, has been an on-off panellist since 2000, and has been no stranger to discussing her love life.

Over the years, she has shared many stories about her two marriages which has included Shane, and her second husband Ray Fensome, who she split from in 2018.

Pressed on how they co-parent, the actor added to the publication: “We met when she was 21 and I was 22, and we were mates.

“We just grew up together and we still are good friends. We’ve got two great kids together and now we’re both grandparents.”

Appearing on the Loose Women podcast recently, the former singer touched upon a particularly tender period post-divorce from Shane.

Coleen Nolan often shares stories about her personal life on Loose Women
When a podcast listener expressed sadness over an ex taking their children on holiday with a new partner, Coleen said she knew all too well about such feelings.

She said: “It happened to me, I remember when me and Shane first split up and obviously, he was with the girl that we had split up because of, and it was about six months, about a year down the line and he wanted to go to Florida with her and the boys.

“They hadn’t even met her at this point, so I arranged for the boys to meet her with me, and she came to the house, and we chatted.”

Coleen continued: “Obviously it hurts you, it hurt me, you’re thinking, ‘what if my kids end up falling in love… because she’s going to be the good guy and she’ll spoil them because she wants them to love her and all of this’.

“But then I thought, ‘A, it doesn’t matter what she does, they’ll never love her as much as they love me, I’m their mum’.

“And secondly, I don’t want the boys to feel guilty and feel guilty going, that they’ve betrayed me. I saw them looking at me like, I knew they really wanted to go to Disney, but they’re looking at me and I’m like, ‘no, you’re going to have the best time’.”

Despite the heartache, Coleen gave her blessing for the trip but admitted she “cried [her] eyes out” as they departed.

Determined to stay upbeat while her children were away, she spent the fortnight with a friend and managed to have “a lovely time”.

Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV and ITVX.