Richie Sambora didn't know Heather Locklear had filed for divorce

[MaryJane]

RICHIE SAMBORA had no idea his wife HEATHER LOCKLEAR filed for divorce on Thursday (02FEB06), because he continued to deny reports they were splitting right up until he received court papers.

The BON JOVI rocker was preparing for a concert in Washington, DC and spoke with ABC News Radio where he denied reports that they were going their own separate ways.

He insisted, "It's completely untrue. I'm going home. Heather was just up for our anniversary and that was December 15... I was home for two and a half weeks over Christmas, and I have a month off in March, so it's going to be good."

The MELROSE PLACE actress had already filed the divorce papers hours earlier and her publicist issued a statement announcing the split.

When Richie was told of the news reports announcing the separation, he still denied they were divorcing and said he even had Valentine's Day plans with his wife.

The divorce documents cited "irreconcilable differences" and Locklear has asked for physical custody of their daughter, AVA, and requested visitation rights for Sambora.

contactmusic.com

[Elisa]

This is going to get interesting.

I still don't believe it when these celebs say they didn't see it coming. How can things be fine and then you just decide to visit a lawyer and draw up divorce papers? There's more here than what we're hearing obviously. It's apparent who wants the hell out atleast.

[darksithbunny]

^^I thought that too. Heather isn't getting any younger. She is not looking that great either. Maybe she was waiting until he was way far away so he couldn't talk her out of it?