I ended it with Paddy to find true self…that means I'm dating women, says Christine McGuinness as she speaks about split

The Irish Sun

2 days ago

AFTER being known as Paddy McGuinness's wife for 11 years, Christine is making big changes.
Not just by leaving her famous husband — but by turning her back on men completely.
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Christine McGuinness has been dating women after 'finding her true self'
Credit: Channel4
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Christine split from Paddy McGuinness in 2022
Credit: Getty
The model, who is currently appearing on E4's Celebs Go Dating, revealed she has only been in relationships with women in the three years since the breakdown of their marriage.
But she insists that, at the age of 37, it is less about satisfying previously unfulfilled desires and more about starting a new chapter with her own identity.
Talking on Celebs Go Dating, which launched last night, Christine said: 'I feel like I'm a couple of steps away from being my new self and not 'Paddy's wife'. I'm coming out of the transition part.
'I am single and I absolutely do love women. I'd love to explore that more and I definitely see that's where I'm more comfortable.'
She added: 'When I was a teenager, I dated men and women before I was married and now I'm really, really just enjoying spending time with women.
'For the last three years, I've only ever dated women. I was never heterosexual, I've never labelled myself anything other than Christine, to be honest.'
Christine and Paddy, 51, married in 2011 and have three children together.
She claims the Take Me Out and Top Gear presenter knew from the start of their relationship that she was attracted to women and did not take issue with it.
'It's my fault'
Since announcing their shock split in July 2022, Christine has been romantically linked to singer Chelcee Grimes and model, rapper and DJ Roxxxan.
Now, as part of Celebs Go Dating, she is opening up more than ever about her love life and how she perhaps wasn't as into men as it would have appeared.
Christine McGuinness has taken a sly dig at ex-husband Paddy, claiming she now wants to date women so she can have 'a deeper connection.'
On the show, during a dating masterclass with Too Hot To Handle hunk Louis Russell, she is challenged to use her body language to show she is interested in him.
Christine is incredibly convincing, but says afterwards: 'I think it is a really good example of how I'm used to faking it.'
Despite her confidence when it comes to flirting, Christine revealed some of the issues she has encountered with potential new partners.
She said: 'I'm attracted to a masculine woman that's not trying to fit in and be like anyone else.
'I haven't dated an awful lot. I was married for a long time and it took me a while to even think about spending time with anyone.
'Luckily for me, the women I've spent time with over the last couple of years, I already knew them.'
She added: 'The only thing I've struggled with is when I've really liked someone and they haven't got children and they want more. I just know that isn't for me.
'My time is actually very precious and valuable. If I am spending time with somebody, you should know you're important.'
Christine also appeared to address rumours that Paddy had cheated during their marriage.
She said: 'Anyone can make mistakes, but I think the trust was broken.
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The star and 'tomboy' musician Roxxxan leaving Ibiza after holidaying together
Credit: Splash
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Christine dated Chelcee Grimes
Credit: Instagram/chelceegrimes
'I'll always love him as the father of my children, I think he'll be the only man I'll ever love. A lot of people make mistakes and mess up, when you are a couple who is quite well known in the industry then obviously everyone knows your business.
'In some ways, I still carry that feeling of it's my fault because I ended it.
'We had an amazing 15 years, we really did. The last couple of years, I think things weren't quite the same.
'I think once the respect isn't quite there any more, it's time to leave. It was the hardest decision I've ever made in my life and it forever will be.'
Christine revealed it was Paddy's comedic charm that won her over when they met during a turbulent time in her life.
She said: 'He wasn't as known as he is now. I was 19 when I met him. I went to an event where I was modelling.
'My ex husband was there, someone introduced us and we had a laugh. We kept in touch. I did [fancy him], he had a cheeky charm, he made me laugh and I wasn't in the best place.
'I was struggling with a lot of things. I struggled a lot as a teenager, I didn't really know where I fitted or where I belonged.
"When I met my ex-husband it was just perfect timing.
'He made me laugh so much, it was easy, it was an easy relationship.'
Christine was diagnosed with ADHD and autism in her late thirties, shortly after their children, 12-year-old twins Penelope and Leo, and Felicity, eight, were diagnosed with autism.
The developmental conditions have affected her social interactions throughout her life — and that goes for dating, too.
She explained: 'Autism affects me a lot with socialising, it takes me a while to relax and be open to get to know someone.
'They think I'm odd'
'I struggle to read people, so I never really know whether I've made a good impression or not. The thought of going on a date scares me so much.
'I just have a couple of different corners to navigate before I'm OK.
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Christine on a date with Leanne Grant
Credit: Objective / Channel 4
'I just find it uncomfortable with someone I don't know.'
On how she has to take special care to plan dates, Christine said: 'It's just sensory issues, so I struggle with too much texture. It could be the smell, if it's too busy somewhere.
'So I try to avoid restaurants unless I've been there before.
'I think people just think I'm a bit odd or that I have got an eating disorder of some sort.
'It's that first bit of feeling different, but I want someone who accepts all of that, and is OK with that.'
And Christine reckons there is no better place to find love than the E4 dating show.
She said: 'It's all brand new to me, but I'm in the best place, I'm excited for it.
'I've got to take a deep breath and just dive in. I can't be single for the rest of my life.'
Other famous faces on the Celebs Go Dating line-up are Love Islander Olivia Hawkins, Atomic Kitten Kerry Katona, The Chase quizzer Mark Labbett, S Club singer Jon Lee, comic Donna Preston and Made In Chelsea lothario Sam Prince.
They are all guided by dating coach Paul C Brunson and sex guru Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn.
After meeting potential dates, including a lesbian called Leanne, Christine admits: 'There's parts of all of them that I really like.
'With Leanne, although she's presenting more fem, I know there's a lot of dominance in her. I'm really torn. Leanne isn't my usual type, she's more feminine, quite glamorous. I'd like to see more of her masculine side, which I'm pretty sure is in there.'
The show is likely to make for uncomfortable viewing for Paddy as Christine has already divulged a few things that may feel like a needle to her ex-husband.
Before the show aired, she admitted: 'I can just have a deeper connection with a woman. I like someone who knows what they want and isn't playing games.'
Celebs Go Dating is on tonight, tomorrow and Thursday on E4 at 9pm. All this week's episodes are available to stream now.
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The model is appearing on E4's Celebs Go Dating, pictured with Olivia Hawkins, Kerry Katona, Mark Labbett, Jon Lee, Donna Preston, and Sam Prince
Credit: Matt Monfredi / Channel 4