Christine McGuinness confirms she is dating again but has one main rule
What did you miss?
Christine McGuinness has revealed she is dating again after her split from husband Paddy - and has one main rule.
The model split from TV presenter Paddy in 2022, with the pair saying in a joint statement that they had decided to go their separate ways but “still have a great relationship and still live happily in our family home together”. Christine has kept fairly quiet about her romantic life since then but has now confirmed she has met someone.
"I am dating," she said as she appeared on ITV's Loose Women to discuss taking part in Celebrity MasterChef.
What, how and why?
Christine - who was diagnosed with autism in 2021 and whose three children with Paddy are also on the autistic spectrum - was talking about how she had sensory issues around food but signed up for MasterChef to push herself out of her comfort zone.
"You seem to be really moving forward and pushing yourself, do you think now that you're also at a place where you may be ready to date again, meet someone?" presenter Coleen Nolan asked.
"I am dating," Christine replied, as the audience clapped. "With terms and conditions! I am not cooking, that's the number one rule, I'm not doing the cooking, it's not for me.
"But yes I am dating. It's all a bit brand new. We spoke an awful lot before we had our first date and I was very open and said that I don't want to go to a restaurant, I don't want to go a dinner date, I don't know when I'm going to sit and eat with you, but... yeah, it's exciting, it's nice."
What else did Christine McGuinness say?
Before MasterChef, Christine has done reality programmes such as Pilgrimage and The Real Full Monty. And she said pushing herself on such shows had "definitely" helped her.
"And what I've realised is that food is a big part of socialising and I was more focused on trying to make friends and trying to be social and not miss out on the really important parts being out and going to work," she explained.
"And I always struggle to make friends and the more I've gone to work and I've seen people like The Full Monty, like all of the stuff I've done it. It's a really nice part of what people are doing.
"And I was removing myself because I didn't want to eat the food or be around it. So that was a bit of a push for me as well. So now I'll join in.”
What happened with Christine and Paddy McGuinness?
Christine and Paddy tied the knot in June 2011 and they have three children together – 11-year-old twins Leo and Penelope and daughter Felicity, seven.
They confirmed their split in July 2022 amid rumours of tension, saying in a statement: "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."
