The TV presenter and model announced their split more than three years ago
Christine and Paddy McGuinness(Image: Christine McGuinness/Instagram)
Paddy McGuinness has revealed that he and his ex-wife Christine will be spending Christmas together, more than three years after their split.
Despite a lengthy and costly divorce, the former couple continue to co-parent amicably and still live under the same roof. The pair share three children: twins Leo and Penelope, 12, and daughter Felicity, 9.
The family has been open about Christine and the children being diagnosed with autism, making family time over the festive season particularly important for ex-Top Gear host and Phoenix Nights star Paddy.
The 52-year-old comedian, from Bolton, has opened up about his plans for Christmas. He revealed that, despite being an unusual situation for many, having both sides of the family together is normal for his clan. When asked if he would be spending Christmas with his ex, he told The Sun: “Of course, because both of our families are our children’s relatives.
“Our children are always happy to see all of our family. Luckily for us, it’s a nice vibe in our household, so there’s never anything where the children feel anything negative whatsoever.”
He added that, like most separated parents, he and Christine simply want “what’s best for the children.”
Christine and Paddy McGuinness split in 2022
Despite being aware that it “can’t always be like that”, Paddy is thankful that their situation is so amicable, after spending 15 years with his ex Christine. After the family has visited the children, they have a “quiet one” on Christmas Day, as that’s what his kids prefer.
Meanwhile, Christine. 37, recently opened up about how difficult the last couple of years have been for her, admitting she “couldn’t cope with all the changes”. Speaking to the Mirror in August, she explained: “This year has been difficult, I’ve just come off my ADHD meds after being on them for the past year after I begged my doctor for help.
“I just couldn’t cope with all the changes with the divorce, the amount of attention around my personal life and having to think about my children and how all of this is going to affect them.” The reality TV star decided to quit Channel 4’s Celebs Go Dating in May this year after two weeks, realising she felt it was too soon to be dating publicly.
She has been debating whether to remain in the spotlight or if it would be better for her kids if she were to step away from showbiz for good. She added: “I’ve had to think if I am in the right industry, and if I can continue. It may be what I enjoy and love, but when i think about my children and how the attention is going to affect their lives I have questioned it and if it’s right for me.”
Although Christine has said she may never reveal what actually led to her breaking it off with Paddy, she opened up to Celebs Go Dating experts Anna Williamson and Paul C Brunson about her divorce. Speaking on the show following a difficult first mixer, she was asked by Anna: “What happened around the break-up and who initiated it?”
Appearing to suggest Paddy had made ‘mistakes,’ Christine said: “Anyone can make mistakes, but I think the trust was broken,” she explained. “I’ll always love him, he’s the father of my children. and I think he’s the only man that I’ll ever love.
“A lot of people make mistakes and mess up, and when you’re in a couple who is quite well known in the industry, obviously, then everyone knows your business. He was getting a really, really difficult time in the press,” she continued – although she didn’t expand on the ‘mistakes’.
To clarify, celebrity dating agent Anna asked: “Because of that?” Christine replied: “Yeah, and I didn’t like that. It was a lot for him and I just really wanted it to stop. So it was me that said ‘enough is enough.'”
Opening up about her guilt, Christine continued: “So, in some ways I suppose I still carry that feeling of, ‘Well it’s my fault because I ended it,'” as Paul looked on in shock.
Speaking about their relationship to the cameras, Christine said: “We had an amazing 15 years, we really did. The last couple of years, things just weren’t quite the same. I think once the respect isn’t quite there anymore, it’s time to leave.”
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