Paddy and Christine McGuinness have said they are separating after 11 years of marriage. The couple have been together for 15 years in total and have three children.
Christine who starred in Real Housewives of Cheshire, and Paddy, who hosts Top Gear on BBC, made the announcement on Instagram today, MirrorOnline reports. The joint statement said: "We hadn't planned on sharing this publicly until we were ready but 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 was 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."
The joint statement continued: "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."
The statement was signed: "Loads of love. Paddy & Christine."
Christine, 34, and Paddy, 48, have recently been on a family trip which had been reported to be a 'make or break' holiday. But the statement today shows they have been separated for some time.
In December, the couple ,who married in 2011, shone a light on life with autism in their moving BBC documentary, Our Family And Autism. The pair are parents to Felicity, and twins Leo and Penelope, all three of whom have autism.
Christine subsequently received a diagnosis at the age of 33, describing it as “a huge relief” that helped her understand “why I am the way I am”.
