Denise Richards' Hawaii heartbreak

Jul 10, 2007, 13:00 GMT

Denise Richards arrives for the film premiere of \'Ratatouille\' in Los Angeles, California, USA 22 June 2007. EPA/PAUL BUCK

Denise Richards believed lover Richie Sambora was going to propose in Hawaii, and was devastated when he dumped her instead.

The couple - who began dating in April 2006 - had both just had their divorces finalised when they went on the romantic break in February, and Denise was hoping the Bon Jovi rocker would pop the question.

A source told the New York Daily News newspaper: "Denise had been expecting Richie to propose. When he broke up with her instead she was devastated."

News of their split did not surface until three months later in May.

In an interview with Glamour magazine, conducted before the split was made official, Denise said: "Recently we went to Hawaii and people came up to us and said, 'We're so happy for the two of you'.

"People are starting to accept the relationship, realising it's not just a fling."

Denise' spokeswoman denies she was expecting a proposal during the vacation and a Bon Jovi representative refused to comment.

When they first began dating, the Bon Jovi guitarist was in the process of divorcing Heather Locklear and Denise was divorcing Charlie Sheen.

Despite splitting in February, Denise supported Richie at his father's funeral in April.

(C) BANG Media International