Christine McGuinness has given fans a new insight into her life, following her split last year from husband Paddy McGuinness. The former couple announced their separation on July 22, 2022 in a joint statement after speculation grew over their relationship.
They shared the statement on social media, stating: "We hadn't planned on sharing this publicly until we were ready but after the lack of privacy surrounding our personal life, we feel left with no other option but to clarify. A while ago we took the difficult decision to separate but our main focus as always is to continue loving and supporting our children.
"This was not an easy decision to make but we’re moving forward as the best parents we can be for our three beautiful children. We’ll always be a loving family, we still have a great relationship and still live happily in our family home together" reports Manchester Evening News.
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Christine, 35, and Paddy, 49, share their twins, Leo and Penelope, and youngest daughter Felicity. At the time of the announcement, they added: "We hope this now draws a line under anymore unwanted and unnecessary intrusion into our private life.
"Although we work in the public eye we ask kindly if you could respect our wishes for privacy on this matter. We’ll be making no further comment. Loads of love. Paddy & Christine."
Since the split, Christine has spoken openly about how she and Paddy are making co-parenting work. She met the TV personality when she was 19, and they have been married since 2011 and still live in their Cheshire home together.
Christine explained that she doesn't feel like a single mum yet as nothing has really changed in her life, but as her own mum was a single mum she knows that she will be fine.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Christine has described the idea of dating as "petrifying." She said: "The thought of dating is actually my worst nightmare.
"I’ve just never really done it. When I met my husband, we were friends first. I think that helped, it worked because I never had that pressure of, ‘What do I wear? Where do I go?
"What is the food going to be like? Will I like the restaurant?’ The idea of dating, for me, is petrifying."
Christine was diagnosed with autism aged 33 after all three of her children received the diagnosis. She went on to explain: "It’s sensory for me. A typical date, from what my friends would say, is you go for dinner, or you might have some drinks.
"I don’t drink and I don’t really enjoy eating in different places with people that I don’t know. Once I’m comfortable with someone, that’s lovely. But I don’t know how I am supposed to get to that point."
Speaking on her life being split from Paddy, Christine admitted: "Nothing has really changed. I don’t feel like a young, free and single person. Life’s good. I’m just very calm and peaceful and I don’t want anything to disturb that right now."
These comments came after Paddy found himself being flooded with demands after he reminisced about his former TV show Take Me Out. The ITV dating programme saw single ladies across the UK get a chance at a date in 'Fernandos', and in each episode, a bachelor was seen being put on the spot by having to impress a panel of thirty women.
Through a series of videos about him followed by the contestant demonstrating a skill, if the ladies liked what they see, they kept their lights and the more impressed they were, the more women the singleton had to choose from at the end of the game. However, if all 30 women turned off their lights, the man went home dateless.
Alongside a promo picture for one of the series, Paddy said: "That time we flipped the switch. Lads behind the podiums, girls down the love lift." And it appears fans are keen to see it back on screens.
One fan said: "We need this show back , great Saturday night viewing, plus the updates from the Isle of Fernando." Another wrote: "You need to ressurect this show."
A third commented : "We need another series!!"Another begged: "Please bring this back."
A fifth echoed: "Bring back the show! Loved it!!" Whilst another replied: "Bring back please !!!! We need this back."