Christine and Paddy McGuinness have a nnounced their decision to split after 15 years together and 11 years of marriage.
The couple released a joint statement on the social media pages on Friday July 22, explaining they will continue to live together as they raise their three children Penelope, nine, Leo, also nine, and six-year-old Felicity.
Despite the decision coming as somewhat of a surprise to fans as the pair had not long returned from a family holiday to Nottingham Centre Parcs, there were hints the couple had already parted ways.
Christine, 34, and 48-year-old Paddy had been hit by rumours and speculation over the state of their marriage in the weeks leading up to their announcement – but the couple appeared to put on a defiant display together.
However, the couple's statement reveals the pair had actually been apart from some time as they 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."
In the weeks leading up to the sad announcement, fans had noticed signs the couple had parted ways...
Christine's TV appearance
Real Housewives of Cheshire star Christine competed on ITV's reality sporting challenge The Games in May.
However, fans couldn't help but notice that not only did Paddy not cheer her on from the sidelines, but the Top Gear host made no mention of his wife's TV appearance on social media either.
Paddy's lack of support sparked a fan to ask Paddy: "How come you aren’t posting about how amazing @christinemcguinness is doing."
A source told The Sun at the time: "It was noted Paddy stayed silent about how well she was doing. Some thought it a bit odd."
Paddy's 'missing' tattoo
In June, Paddy sparked rumours he had Christine had split as he appeared to have removed his tattoo tribute to his wife.
The Take Me Out star was seen in a video on Chris Baber's Instagram holding a canned drink, but his heart tattoo on his wedding finger was nowhere to be seen.
Paddy got the inking on his wedding ring finger as he kept losing his wedding ring twice after marrying Christine.
At the time, it was unclear if the video, which is in selfie mode, has been flipped, meaning the tattoo is in fact still on his left hand.
Christine's solo trip and cryptic comments
As concerns over their marriage continued to build, Christine jetted off a on a solo trip, and said she was "loving every second" as she shared a video of herself on her Instagram.
During the holiday to Croatia, Christine shared a series of photos of herself sunning herself and relaxing by the pool. But, the captions had caught the attention of fans as one, which was shared alongside a snap of Christine beside a waterfall, read: "Sometimes you just need to let go - and fall like a waterfall".
Meanwhile, another caption alongside a series of snaps from her break, read: "I followed my heart and it led me to Croatia."
Instagram absences
Amid speculation fans also noticed the couple had been absent from one another's Instagram pages for a number of months.
Christine had last shared a photo of Paddy in February, which was an advert for their new podcast Table Talk.
Meanwhile, Paddy last shared a photo showing Christine in at the beginning of July as he wished his twins Leo and Penelope a happy ninth birthday.
However, he didn't mention Christine in the caption as he wrote: "Happy Birthday to my first borns! 9 years old today and still my babies!!!! Love you Leo & Penelope, Daddy’s so proud of you."
Christine admits to feeling 'raw'
Following speculation around the couple's marriage, Christine opened up and admitted to feeling "raw" and "all over the place".
Speaking about her emotional state of late, Christine confessed to The Sun: "I’m feeling really quite raw and all over the place."
Christine also got honest about her marriage as she said: "What I might have put up with in the past, I probably wouldn’t put up with now, and the same for him."
She added to The Sun: "I can't lie we're having a very, very difficult time."
In another cryptic hint, Christine said she "didn't cause this situation".
