Inside bitter Real Housewives of Cheshire feud – as Christine McGuinness is ‘betrayed' by co-star bestie

Scottish Sun

24-04-2025

The ex-wife of TV star Paddy is at loggerheads with her former bestie...
TOXIC PALS Inside bitter Real Housewives of Cheshire feud – as Christine McGuinness is 'betrayed' by co-star bestie
IT'S long been one of the more desirable parts of the country for the rich and famous - with its stunning mansions, pricey boutiques and fine dining.
But we can reveal Cheshire has become a toxic playground for its reality TV housewives and a new bitter betrayal is set to stir things up, with Christine McGuinness at the centre of it all.
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Tanya Bardsley and Christine McGuinness are the latest stars to fall out
Credit: Splash News
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Christine is said to be upset about how her friendship with Tanya has gone
Credit: Rex
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Christine and Tanya were incredibly close on the show
The ex-wife of TV star Paddy, who enjoyed a brief stint on the reality show between 2018-2020, is at loggerheads with her former bestie Tanya Bardsley and the pair are no longer speaking.
Insiders tell us the pair had a devastating falling out last year - and things have turned so ugly that friends say 'there is no way back'.
A source told us: 'Christine was always really supportive of Tanya through her mental health struggles but she feels like Tanya ditched her and wasn't there for her when she has been going through her own stuff.'
During their time on Real Housewives, Christine was seen helping Tanya navigate a difficult period, which sources say has made the betrayal even more heart-wrenching for the star.
She told Manchester Evening News at the time: 'I understand mental illness quite a lot.
'I have been there myself with anxiety and depression. I know how it feels - certainly after I had children.
'She was having a difficult time and she tried to come off the meds and that didn't do her any good.
'Seeing Tanya in that way really touched me. I would never want anyone to feel like she felt.'
But fast forward two years and that close bond has been completely shattered.
Trailer for the Real Housewives of Cheshire
The insider added: 'The last straw was when Tanya poached her best mate Catherine to work for her.'
Following Christine's split from Paddy McGuinness, she grew very close to Catherine Farrell.
The pair even launched a clothing business together - We are HER - which no longer appears to be trading.
But now Catherine is very close to Tanya and has appeared on her new reality show, as well as going into business with her.
The pair have created Haus of CEO - a studio to create content and podcasts.
The move is said to have completely blindsided Christine, who feels like she has been pushed to her limit by it all.
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Christine's best friend Catherine is now close to Tanya
Credit: Instagram
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Tanya and Catherine have now gone into business together
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Tanya now has her own reality TV show
Credit: Splash
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Christine during the time on the reality show
Credit: ITV
On her new reality show - The Bardsley Bunch - Tanya gushes about her friendship with Catherine, saying they have been close for a " very long time".
But just a couple of years ago, it was Christine singing her praises.
Writing at length about her friendship, Christine said: "I always struggled to make friends and didn't really socialise much at all until my late 20s.
"I'm lucky now to have a handful of people to call my friend.
"Thank you Cath for being there recently, more than ever I needed you and you showed up every time. Here's to many more meltdowns!
"More play dates with our babies and hopefully some holidays."
She followed up the post by adding: "I appreciate you."
Christine has now erased all traces of Catherine from her life after being left heartbroken by what she believes is shocking deception.
The fall out is set to cause huge ructions within the community, which on the surface appears close knit.
Friends have said how relieved they are this hasn't all played out on screen because they think it would have caused friction beyond repair.
There have been huge busts up between Lauren Simon and Paige Chohan, Hanna Kinsella and Ester Dee, as well as Missé Beqiri and Ampika Pickston to name a few.
An insider from the area told us: 'These rows might have been on screen but they are all very real and it's not uncommon for people to bicker in the area.
'These are some of the most successful people in the country all living in the same place - it's really no surprise that tensions and rivalries run high.'
One of the biggest fallouts to date however was between Leanne Brown and Dawn Ward.
The pair fell out over a dispute about money - it has been reported that Leanne and Wes loaned Dawn £500,000, which she didn't pay back for some time.
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Real Housewives of Cheshire is known for its drama
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Dawn Ward and Leanne Brown have feuded for years
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Leanne really struggled during her time on the show
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Leanne told The Sun during the time of the fallout: "Our friendship has gone down the pan. I won't ever speak to Dawn again.
Adding: "I don't trust her and, when someone has hurt you that deep, there is no going back."
Things were so bad that Leanne accused Dawn - the wife of former Manchester City and Barnsley player Ashley Ward - of driving her close to a nervous breakdown.
Leanne Brown had another epic co-star fall-out with Magali Gorre back in 2019.
She accused Magali - married to former footballer Dean Gorre - of attacking her in a restaurant toilet over a comment made in a reunion show.
Businesswoman Magali, who left RHOC in March 2016, was allegedly upset that Leanne had claimed she "loved a freebie" and referred to her as a "nightmare".
A source claimed Leanne "ran out of the toilets as quickly as she could" after the fight broke out, and called the police.
Since leaving the show Leanne has divorced from her husband of 25 years - Wes, who has now been declared bankrupt.
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The 2020 cast - Dawn Ward, Rachel Lugo, Nicole Sealey, Ester Dohnalov, Seema Malthora, Lauren Simon, Hanna Miraftab and Tanya Bardsley
Credit: ITV
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There have been some serious rows over the years on the show
Credit: ITV
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Dawn's comeback is going to spark some serious drama
Credit: ITV
Dawn and Leanne are both now set for an explosive comeback to the reality show, which is said to have left the other castmates feeling anxious.
An insider said: 'Dawn and Leanne really did have a serious falling out. It's not just a bit of fun, so things could end up getting nasty.
'Everyone is feeling pretty apprehensive about it all and what drama it will cast over Cheshire once again. Dawn doesn't take any prisoners and it could be carnage.'
They added: 'Cheshire certainly may look picture perfect, but like anywhere it's not without its pitfalls.'