Top Gear presenter Paddy McGuinness has shown support for his ex-wife Christine and says he's "very proud" after her documentary on her autism aired on Wednesday, March 15. In the documentary, Christine McGuiness: Unmasking my Autism, Christine, 34, spoke on her decision to split with Paddy, 49, after 11 years of marriage, which came around the time of her autism diagnosis.
The mum-of-three also spoke about how she was raped as a teenager before she met Paddy. Due to the abuse she went through, she said she used to "pray every night that I wouldn't wake up in the morning.”
Christine was diagnosed with autism whilst making a documentary with Paddy about living with their children, Penelope and Leo, nine, and Felicity, six who have autism, reports The Mirror. Paddy took to Instagram to share support for Christine. Posting a picture from the documentary, he wrote: “ "Very proud of Christine for making this new documentary highlighting Autism, particularly in women.
"It’ll be a massive help to our daughters in years to come along with our little lad. #unmaskingmyautism #awareness #acceptence."
Paddy had been silent since their split and has turned the comments off on the post.
Christine also spoke up about why she stay in her marriage with Paddy despite being unhappy, she said she didn't want her family to "fall apart". The model said: "I felt like I said in the film I didn’t want my family to ever fall apart. And that’s why I stayed married.
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"As an autistic woman, I like to stay where I am comfortable. I like things to stay the same. And so that’s something I suppose I chose to do... But sometimes change has to happen."
Both Paddy and Christine remain living together in Cheshire, focusing on their three children. Speaking to Women's Own about the couple's living situation, Christinel said: "The children don’t know any different and they’re growing up in a happy and loving home – I just want it to continue like that.
"We don’t know what the future holds but right now it works."
The model added: "The thought of eventually co-parenting in separate houses is something I’m going to really struggle with."
Previously speaking about their arrangement, Christine told OK!: "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."
Last year, in July, after speculation, the couple both confirmed their split. In a joint statement, the couple 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."
The joint statement continued: "We hope this now draws a line under anymore unwanted and unnecessary intrusion into our private life."
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