‘Paddy’s free to date who he wants but I’ll wait until we’re living apart’
Christine’s vow to her kids
TWO years after confirming their break-up Christine and Paddy McGuinness are still living in the same house.
And while that scenario might be a nightmare for most former couples, TV star Christine reckons she will only fully move on romantically when she moves out. But she is in no rush.
She said: “We get on really well, we laugh a lot. So I haven’t had to deal with what most people deal with going through a divorce.
“When you are clearing out the
Dating
other person’s boxes, that must be awful. But I haven’t had to do that yet.
“But I know if and when it comes to that it’s going to be difficult.”
Amid rumours Paddy may have started or be open to dating, Christine said: “He’s entitled to go and date if he wants to, that’s completely his business.And it’s not my business at all.
“And the same for me, it’s just I feel like it’s not the right time to. But I’m not totally against it.” However, she admits her current arrangement might make it more difficult for her to date – even if she could find the time.
She said: “I don’t think anyone would be OK with me living with my ex. And I’m just happy to put my love life on hold, while I do what I think is best for my kids. I’m not in any rush to go and meet anyone. I don’t know where I’d put it in my diary. If I have got a day for myself, I want it for myself. So maybe it’s just me for now.”
Christine, 36, got together with Top Gear host Paddy when she was 19. They married in 2011.
The pair, who live in Cheshire, coparent twins Penelope and Leo, 10, and Felicity, seven, who all have autism. And while they are the only priority of Christine, she does not expect Paddy, 50, to hang around.
When Christine began making TV shows in recent years, including documentaries where she investigated her children’s condition and discovered her own autism, she did so as Paddy’s wife. But more recently on shows such as ITV’s The Games, The Real Housewives of Cheshire between 2018 and 2020, The Real Full Monty and next week BBC Two’s Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales, she is emerging in her own right.
The former model is keen to move out of the shadows and be known as TV star Christine as opposed to Paddy McGuinness’ ex-wife.
But she noted: “I’m always going to be linked to Patrick because we’ve
Challenge
been together for such a long time. I’m proud of us to say we are still a family.”
Her autism diagnosis has spurred her on to branch out. She said: “A lot of the stuff I’m doing now, I don’t think I would have gone for before.
“And it’s probably more post-diagnosis that’s made the change in me to go, ‘Actually, I understand myself more and I can speak up a little bit more’.” Her increasing confidence has spurred her to take her teenage interest in writing further. She said: “I’m going to see if I can get books published and try and actually do something with myself.”
Part of her new independence includes heading to Wales for the new series of The Pilgrimage.
She joined other famous faces including Plebs funnyman Tom Rosenthal and former Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews.
They take a journey along a route celebrating early Christian saints. And for Christine it was a bigger challenge than for most as she had to overcome issues linked to her autism and ADHD, such as eating in front of others.
She says: “The whole group really clicked and bonded and it was lovely.
“For me, it takes time. It’s really helpful, the more of these TV shows that I do, and they’ll always challenge me in a different way. As long as I’m following my dreams, and continuing to work and do things I love, then I’m happy and grateful.” ●●Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales starts on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on Friday.