Christine McGuinness has been hitting the headlines in recent weeks following the release of her BBC documentary, Unmasking My Autism. And in a brand new interview, she has revealed some details about her personal life surrounding her children, living situation with ex Paddy McGuinness and re-entering the dating scene.
Paddy and Christine announced their split with a joint statement in July of last year after 11 years of marriage and 15 years together - although the reasoning behind it was kept private. And yet, because they "don’t want to change anything too quickly", they still live together, about which she explained: "I’ve known Paddy for 15 years, so I don’t know life without him. It is what it is."
And while it's not a system that'll be in place forever, Christine told OK! magazine: "It’s certainly not a long term or forever plan. It works right now because we’re both so busy and we’re in and out of the home so we tend to swap days and we’ll share. It’s much like any parent really – juggling jobs and children. We definitely don’t want to upset them or change anything too quickly, and for me as well. I like slow changes, and we’re alright – we’re family."
Read more: Stacey Solomon 'worries' about sharing her pricey holiday snaps in cost of living crisis
She also spoke about the support her ex-partner Paddy gives her and her work - she has written a book on her life called Christine McGuinness: A Beautiful Nightmare and has made two documentaries around her autism diagnosis and exploring autism in women - and told the publication that they're a partnership and a team and that Paddy's happy she has "found a place I'm comfortable in".
"He was very proud of my book and my documentary," she said. "He watched it and he loved it, and said he was really pleased that not only was I working but I was making a big difference as well. It’s good he’s supportive because I need him to be."
As for life without Paddy as her husband, Christine revealed she is content on focusing on her children and her work and doesn't plan on jumping in the dating pool any time soon.
Recalling how she and Paddy became firm friends before things moved forward in their relationship romantically, she said to OK!: "Actual dating sounds awful anyway for anybody, but [especially] for an autistic person who doesn’t really like people. I don’t like new places, restaurants, and I’m very particular with food, so the last thing I would want to do is go on a date. I can’t even imagine it. I’ve never really dated. Any free time I’ve got goes on myself because I’m exhausted. Dating doesn’t sound fun."
Although the pair have split up and she will be a single mother to their three children - twins Penelope and Leo, nine, and Felicity, six, all of whom also have autism - she mused that life won't be that different to what it was like before.
"I know I’ll be fine," Christine said. "I’ve had the children a hell of a lot, from when they were newborns. Paddy was always working away and I was a full-time mum. I probably felt more like a single mum back then than I do now, because he’s at home a lot more now than he was then."
The 35-year-old also detailed her workout regime - "three times a week and I do yoga once a week" - as well as how her life has changed since learning of her autism diagnosis in 2021.
Explaining she is on the way to feeling more comfortable in her skin, she also said how she now understands herself a lot more and that she doesn't want "autism to hold me back". To read the full interview with OK! magazine, see here.
READ NEXT:
- Carol Vorderman endures ‘instruments of torture’ to keep in shape
- Alex Jones says she feels 'lucky' as she enjoys a family Easter break in her favourite place
- The Bodyguard star breaks silence following Manchester musical incident
- Mrs Hinch emotional as she explains family issues behind social media absence
- Nick Knowles’ girlfriend shares secret to relationship after admitting she 'didn't like him much' when they met
