Christine McGuinness' first solo documentary as she lifted the lid on living with autism was met with a flood of praise within minutes of the hard-hitting programme starting on BBC One. The mum-of-three explored how the developmental disorder in women and girls has been ignored and misunderstood by science and society, and viewers flocked to applaud the powerful watch.
The programme began with a nerve-wracking moment as the cameras followed the glamorous reality TV star and model to the National Diversity Awards 2022. "The camera may see a confident woman. Inside I'm struggling," she said.
She explained in Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism how she had hypersensitive hearing and smell as she took in the scent of the food and perfumes in the room. And she admitted how having to wait to present the final award of the night probably wasn't the best idea for someone with autism.
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Explaining her condition she said: "Trying to figure out what's happening next is what I do a lot. Uncertainty is frightening." Christine, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 33 in 2021, prompted tears with the powerful account of her journey of discovery.
@lottyleigh tweeted: "Watching #ChristineMcGuinness #UnmaskingMyAutism An absolute must see!" @KarenF040383 asked: "Anyone else watching Christine McGuinness unmasking my autism." And @Woowaa82 applauded: "Crying already. So glad this has been made!!!!"
@beyondbehaviour tweeted: "5mins into #ChristineMcGuinness - WOW!! The courage to unmask and offer a first hand insight into some of the struggles & challenges she faces is inspiring. Learning so much." And @rng8899 agreed: "#ChristineMcGuinness so brave."
Christine provided an eye-opening insight into her autism as she said: "Practising conversation is something I've always done. I don't understand how you can go into talking to someone without practising."
She explained that, growing up in the 90s, not a lot was known about autism. It was at the age of 11, when she was overwhelmed by the sights and smells of the school canteen, that she stopped eating, didn't have periods and was diagnosed with an eating disorder.
Her behaviour was misunderstood as 'being naughty' and she dropped out of school at 14 without qualifications and entered beauty pageants. Her titles included Miss Commonweath for England, Miss Cheshire and Miss Liverpool and it was through dressing up that she embraced the "power of pretending."
Christine also opened up about her split from Top Gear presenter Paddy McGuinness, which the couple announced in July last year, saying that after 15 years together "I don't know what it's like to date." There was a heartbreaking moment when the former The Real Housewives of Cheshire star told how the Bolton TV star had made her feel "safe" after she had suffered sexual abuse from the age of nine. "Before Patrick I was sexually abused and raped and I used to pray every night that I wouldn't wake up in the morning because it was so awful," she said.
@Jolovsadventure tweeted: "#UnmaskingMyAutism I watched when #ChristineMcGuinness was diagnosed after describing her symptoms. At age 59 it was a Eureka moment for me! I didn't even know that all my hand flapping had a name, #stimming. I understand myself so much better now. Thankyou."
@me_and_flora said: "Watching this now and already I’m so incredibly thankful for Christine McGuinness for this programme. There’s so much society doesn’t know about autism in women and girls and this is a great step towards changing that."
@bex_sterry applauded: "Great to see #autism research getting such a platform tonight in the BBC’s #UnmaskingMyAutism documentary with Christine McGuinness. It’s the only way to understand, prevent and effectively support the unique challenges that face autistic women." And @jo3grace said: "Thrilled to hear Christine open with the words 'I am autistic.'"
@HawysK wrote: "Powerful documentary on autism impacting girls and women, hugely impressed and humbled by #ChristineMcGuinness." And @SammyImp said: "Watching Christine McGuinness #UnmaskingMyAutism is so emotional! I hope her honesty and openness encourages others to come forward and get a diagnosis to support them moving forward."
Christine revealed she had also been diagnosed with the developmental disability, caused by differences in the brain that affects how people communicate and interact with the world, towards the end of 2021, after all three of her children - twins Penelope and Leo, nine, and youngest daughter, six-year-old Felicity - were given the same diagnosis.
She and Paddy previously made the BBC documentary Our Family And Autism about their children’s autism. It also followed Christine as she was diagnosed.
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