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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Christine McGuinness shuns Christmas tradition and says 'kids can have chicken nuggets'

Christine McGuinness says she will cook her children chicken nuggets and chips for Christmas dinner 'if that's what they want'.

The Real Housewives of Cheshire star will make sure December 25 is just as her three kids - who all have autism - want it to be.

It is the first Christmas since her split from husband Paddy, but the family will all be spending Christmas together.

Christine and and the funnyman, 49, announced it was over back in July, 11 years after tying the knot.

While the model and her presenter ex will have turkey with all the trimmings, their nine-year-old twins Penelope and Leo, and daughter Felicity, six, probably won't be eating something traditional.

It's the first festive period since her split from Paddy (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

To make things easier, the proud mum will be making sure the children’s routine isn’t changed - and their reluctancy to eat something new isn't going to be challenged.

She told OK! Magazine that if they want chicken nuggets, then that's what she'll cook.

“I don’t think they should have to fit in with tradition or what everybody else has. I think your Christmas dinner should be whatever you’d like to eat and I want them to enjoy it,” she says.

“If they want chicken nuggets and chips, then that’s what I’m going to give them.”

The star also opened up about her marriage breakdown and added: “It’s been heartbreaking at times, but it’s been a while now. We separated quite early on in the year, but didn’t say anything publicly until around summertime.

“We’ve dealt with the hardest bits in private, which I’m glad about. You’ve just got to keep moving forward, keep smiling and focusing on all the positives. I really believe life is good and I’m very blessed.”

But Christine know exactly which gifts they’d love to find under the tree.

Penelope, Leo and Felicity are going to be spoiled with some great gifts on Sunday (mrscmcguinness/Instagram)
She spoke about a challenging year to OK! Magazine (Ok!)

Penelope absolutely loves anything to do with Pokémon she said, and added Leo "just loves" Minecraft at the minute.

Felicity is still obsessed with dolls - so she's easy to buy for too.

The former beauty queen explained two years ago why she takes the approach she does to her children's eating.

"For anyone who may not understand this, food aversion can be quite common for those with autism," she said.

"This isn’t lazy parenting or fussy children, this is sensory issues due to their condition that limits what our children eat. I am delighted they are very slowly exploring new textures.

"I’m just happy they eat because there have been times they totally refuse. It may be basic and it’s still all beige but they’re happy and their tummies are full."

Read her full OK! Magazine interview in full here.

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