Christine McGuinness has opened up about her split from husband Paddy, describing 2022 as the 'best and worst' year or her life.
The couple, who share three children, twins Leo and Penelope, nine, and six-year-old Felicity, announced their break-up in July after 11 years of marriage. In an exclusive chat with OK! Magazine, the model revealed that the family would be spending Christmas together - and that her children, who have all been diagnosed with autism, aren't aware of their split.
Christine, who was diagnosed with autism herself last year, told OK! Magazine that spending Christmas with Paddy is 'what the children are used to.' She explained: "We don’t know what the future holds or how it’s going to be moving forward, but we’ll try to keep things as normal as possible.
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"We’re amicable. I’m quite happy for him to be there with the children and it’s nice for them to see Mummy and Daddy just being alright. We can sit and have a cup of tea together and that’s fine. I would never let the children be aware of anything other than us being happy and alright, because they’re so young and innocent.”
When asked if the children are aware that their parents have separated, she says: “No, not at all, they’re so young. I’m trying to just stick to their normal routine – take them to school in the morning, pick them up, try to work while they’re at school and take them to after-school clubs and just try to stick to normal life as much as possible."
Christine described being a mum as 'the biggest blessing in my whole life' and said it was 'certainly the biggest blessing to come out of my marriage.' She said the last 12 months have been 'difficult at times'' confessing: “I think it would be for anybody in this situation, but when there’s children there you’ve just got to keep going. There’s no time to get down. I have my moments, but I try to do it in private.”
But Christine revealed that good has come from the year too, including being able to manage her anxiety better since her autism diagnosis and the friendships she's made. The star, 34, took part in reality TV shows Strictly The Real Full Monty and ITV's The Games and has kept up the friendships forged from those.
These include with Colin Jackson and Duncan James – who she talks to nearly every day – Corrie ’s Colson Smith, reality star Olivia Attwood, Phoenix Chi-Brown and singer and footballer Chelcee Grimes, plus her fellow contestants on The Games , who have all been a great support over the past year.
Christine has a busy year to look forward to in 2023, with her her new BBC documentary – a follow-up to Our Family And Autism – to be released. She has also written her first children's book, Amazing Me, Amazing You. Available in March, it builds on Christine's mission to raise awareness of autumn.
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