Richards Blames Media For Sambora Split

DENISE RICHARDS is convinced her relationship with BON JOVI star RICHIE SAMBORA only broke down because the media accused her of breaking up his marriage.

Richards began dating the Bon Jovi guitarist after she split from her former husband Charlie Sheen in 2006 - just months after he ended his 11-year marriage to her friend Heather Locklear.

The Wild Things star was the focus of many press reports accusing her of coming between Sambora and Locklear - and Richards blames the media's depiction of her for putting a major strain on their year-long romance.

She tells U.S. talkshow host Larry King, "They (Sambora and Locklear) were getting divorced; he and I were friends and it happened. And she had moved on. She was already involved with someone else at the time.

"It (the press coverage) affected, I think, the circumstances. It was very difficult to sustain a relationship. We were so slammed in the press. We were dealing with our parents dying. We were going through very difficult divorces and custody and it put a strain on our relationship. I regret the timing, perhaps, and I feel terrible anyone that was hurt and involved. But I did not split up their marriage."