Richards denies stealing Richie Sambora

Denise Richards has denied that she ever stole Heather Locklear's former husband Richie Sambora from her best friend at the time.

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, the actress said that she understands the code of 'never stealing your best friend's man', but that she and the ex-Melrose Place star had ended their friendship long before she started dating the Bon Jovi guitarist.

"We had been best friends, but we had ended our friendship before Richie and I ever started dating," Richards explained.

She added: "It was very difficult showing up to parent-teacher days at my daughter's school with all the parents thinking I stole my best friend's husband."

Richards also admitted that she and Sambora started as friends who were supporting each other following the disintegration of their marriages.