Celebs Go Dating's Anna Williamson praises 'brave' Christine McGuinness amid update
Anna Williamson has paid tribute to Christine McGuinness following her departure from the new series of Celebs Go Dating. She's also given an insight into how much the reality TV star will feature after quitting during its production.
Christine, 37, was announced as part of the line-up for the E4 show's upcoming return in April. The cast were then understood to have jetted off to Ibiza for a trip but, days into filming, it was revealed that she had quit the show.
The reality TV star, who was previously married to Paddy McGuinness, said that it was "too soon" for her to be dating in the public eye. It was later confirmed that Christine had returned for the finale of the series, which is yet to launch.
Dating coach Anna, 43, has now praised former co-star Christine over her decision to leave. Speaking to the Mirror about having reunited at the finale, Anna said: "Christine is so wonderful. I've really enjoyed getting to know her.
"I do believe that she is very much still part of our ... the early few episodes of this series, which is lovely. Viewers will be really keen to hear some of Christine's story which she very much shares with us in the first two episodes."
Anna continued by saying that Christine then made the "brave" decision to step back from the show. She told us recently: "[Christine] made the very brave decision that perhaps, actually, now wasn't the right time for her."
Further sharing her thoughts ahead of the launch, Anna said in our interview: "But yeah, she's a great lady and the door is very much open for her to return. And I believe she would like to if the circumstances are right in the future."
Christine was in the line-up for the new series, which was described by Anna as "such a fun series," alongside Kerry Katona, Olivia Hawkins, Louis Russell and Jon Lee. Mark Labbett, Donna Preston and Sam Prince will feature too.
Announcing her departure, Christine said in her statement that was released back in May: "I joined Celebs Go Dating with great intentions but have realised that dating on a public platform and the attention that brings is just too soon for me. They've said the door is always open for me which I'm so grateful but for now I'm returning home to my family."
A spokesperson for Celebs Go Dating said at the time that the door is "always open" for her. They said: "We have loved having Christine on the show and completely respect her feelings and decision to return home and have told her that the door is always open for her in the future at the agency."
Anna's comments come after she spoke to the Mirror about her approach to parenting recently. She opened up about her life whilst discussing the Great British Phone Swap. The Channel 4 show, in partnership with Tesco Mobile, saw parents temporarily swap phone habits with their children.
The experiment, fronted by Anna and clinical psychologist Dr Martha Deiros Collado, explored topics such as online safety. Participants left the experience with goals for their family, such as scheduled time off their devices at home.
Asked her takeaways from hosting the five-part project, she told us earlier this month: "I think the main thing is boundaries and having very healthy, open communication. Boundaries being time when you are not on your phone and I think we found that was really beneficial for all families."
Anna said she doesn't support banning technology from kids though, sharing: "You need to teach your children how to navigate it." She also said: "I think as we portray in the Great British Phone Switch phones aren't a bad thing. Tech isn't a bad thing. But it's about consuming the right things on it and that's the important thing here."
All five episodes of the Great British Phone Swap are available through Channel 4. Celebs Go Dating is set to return for its new series on E4 later this year.
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