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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Tina Campbell

Christine and Paddy McGuinness spending Christmas together as kids still don’t know about split

Christine McGuinness has revealed she will be spending Christmas with ex Paddy for the sake of their three children

(Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Christine McGuinness is set to spend Christmas with ex Paddy as their children still don’t know that they have split up.

The former Real Housewives of Cheshire star, 34, and the TV presenter, 49, announced in July that they were separating after 11 years of marriage.

They share three children together, nine-year-old twins Leo and Penelope, and Felicity, six. All three children have been diagnosed with autism, with mum Christine also diagnosed in 2021.

Despite the change in their relationship status, they still live as a family in their Cheshire home and Christine says she will be spending Christmas with Paddy as “that’s what their children are used to”.

“We don’t know what the future holds or how it’s going to be moving forward, but we’ll try to keep things as normal as possible,” the former Miss Liverpool told OK! magazine.

Christine and Paddy McGuinness called time on their 11-year marriage in July (Christine McGuinness/Instagram)

She added that it would be “nice” for the children to see their parents “being alright” and that she would never allow her children to see anything other than “them being happy”.

“I’m quite happy for him to be there with the children and it’s nice for them to see Mummy and Daddy just being alright. We can sit and have a cup of tea together and that’s fine.”

She confessed, however, that the children are unaware of the separation, replying when asked: “No, not at all, they’re so young. I’m trying to just stick to their normal routine.”

Speaking to the Standard earlier this month, Christine said that she’s found the gym and journalling “therapeutic” as she adjusts to co-parenting life.

“I love motherhood, it’s difficult, obviously its challenging at times but this is something I wanted so being a mum is a dream come true for me,” she shared. “I love being with the children but obviously sometimes it’s nice to remind yourself that you are a person as well.

“I’m trying to be social… The gym is always good therapy for me, and I love to write too.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time writing down my thoughts when the children are asleep and have found it very therapeutic.”

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