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Paddy McGuinness in incredible gesture to school threatened with closure

Paddy McGuinness in incredible gesture to school threatened with closure

Daily Mirror19-05-2025

Paddy McGuinness surprised kids at a school under threat of closure who helped support him on his epic Children in Need challenge - leaving them delighted
TV star Paddy McGuinness surprised schoolchildren as a thank you for their support during his massive Children in Need challenge.
The TV star captivated the nation last November with his Raleigh Chopper cycling heroics. At the time, he was buoyed by the support of kids from St Anthony's Catholic Primary School in Saltney, in Wales.

And he went back - with his Chopper - to say thank you last Friday morning. Paddy's visit to the school comes as the school is threatened with closure.

Flintshire County Council want to open a super-school 14 miles away for children aged 3-18 - a move which has upset the children, staff and community.
He has previously recorded a video message backing the school to stay open. Paddy said: "When I did my Children in Need challenge, I remember coming up to your school and feeling really tired, my bum was sore off the bike seat.
"When I came up to your school you all came out and drew me amazing pictures, and offered me loads of support, and cheered me on. It really helped me to get to the end of my challenge, so thank you very much.
"And here's something in return, I'm sending you all my love and support - let's keep your fantastic school open."
On Friday's visit to the school, Paddy thanked the kids for spurring him onto the finish line.
A source added: 'His visit meant the world to our children, especially given the challenges our school community is currently navigating. Seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter as they interacted with Paddy, and received the generous donation of toys he brought, was truly heartwarming.'
The comedian's Children In Need challenge raised more than £10 million. The 300-mile bike ride, began in Wrexham, Wales, last month and crossed the finish line in Glasgow.

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Real reason for Christine McGuinness's toxic fall out with Chelcee Grimes revealed after star grew close to Dan Osborne
Real reason for Christine McGuinness's toxic fall out with Chelcee Grimes revealed after star grew close to Dan Osborne

The Sun

time4 hours ago

  • The Sun

Real reason for Christine McGuinness's toxic fall out with Chelcee Grimes revealed after star grew close to Dan Osborne

IN the scorching heat of a sizzling Ibizan summer back in 2023, Christine McGuinness and Chelcee Grimes couldn't have been closer as they locked lips during a girly holiday with pals. But in a shocking turn of events, just weeks later, the former bosom buddies were barely speaking, each pressing the dreaded 'unfollow' on Instagram and disappearing from each other's lives at the click of a button. What's baffling is that the reason for the sudden end to the close pal's friendship has never been revealed - until now. 12 Those with intimate knowledge of the pair's short-lived but deep bond- which has found itself back in the spotlight this week after Christine revealed in a new podcast interview that she has always 'dated men and women' - tell The Sun that the pair stopped speaking after an explosive argument over the nature of their relationship. A source said: 'Christine and Chelcee had a blazing row after a discussion about where they stood with each other. The fallout took place in late 2023, a year after they first grew close while filming ITV's The Games, a time when Christine turned to Chelcee for support after splitting from husband Paddy a few months earlier. 'TOO INTENSE' 'Chelcee had been a rock for Christine after her split from Paddy and they were incredibly close. But while Chelcee was a bit more full on, Christine wanted them just to have fun and thought it was becoming too intense. ' Christine had a lot on her plate with her children and her career. They ended up having an argument and in the heat of the moment unfollowed each other on social media.' Of course, as The Sun revealed yesterday, around the same time that Christine was spending time with Chelcee, she was also seeking comfort in a growing friendship with former Towie star Dan Osborne. The pair enjoyed a series of nights out on the town in March 2023 and bonded over the end of her marriage to Paddy, while Dan was trying to make things work with his wife Jacqueline Jossa after a rocky patch. While we understand nothing romantic ever happened between them, it's understood they shared a 'flirty' texts where Christine would call him 'D'. It's unclear whether Chelcee was aware of Christine's friendship with Dan, but there is no suggestion it contributed to their fallout. Nevertheless, radio silence followed between Christine and Chelcee after the spat - a s tark contrast to their kisses in the Balearic Isles, or the scene seven months prior in December 2022, when they were snapped kissing on the lips at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Christine McGuinness is dating women and men and will fly to Ibiza for hot same sex date TIME APART The source adds: 'They both needed a bit of time out to get their heads straight. It's always sad when you're close with someone and then heated words are exchanged, and they were both upset.' After a cooling off period, pals say the pair made tentative steps towards repairing things, but ultimately their friendship never recovered. 'After taking some time apart they tried to work through it and get their friendship back on track. Christine meant the world to Chelcee,' a pal tells us. 'Unfortunately, things just felt different after their fallout. Christine was still going through the stress of a divorce, while living under the same roof as Paddy, so she was still in a different place to Chelcee, even after their time apart.' Since relations soured with Chelcee, Christine grew very close with another female friend, DJ Roxxxan. 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And while neither Christine nor Roxxxan addressed speculation that they were romantically involved, Christine confirmed in an interview on Loose Women after the holiday that she was dating. CHRISTINE'S CONFESSION With a beaming smile on her face, she told panellist Coleen Nolan: "I am dating with terms and conditions that I am not cooking, that's the number one rule, I'm not doing the cooking it's not for me." Things also appeared to have cooled between Christine and Roxxxan in recent months however. They haven't been seen in public together since late 2024, and although they haven't unfollowed each other on social media, they haven't posted any snaps on holidays or nights out. Fast forward to today, and sources close to Christine tell us she isn't romantically involved with anyone right now - at least not seriously. 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Now she has, she feels liberated and more confident than ever.' In the hour-long chat, Christine told presenter and broadcaster Elizabeth that she has dated both men and women since her teens, and revealed husband Paddy always knew she also liked girls. Who is Chelcee Grimes? She said: 'It shouldn't matter somebody's gender. It never mattered to me, which was why once me and my ex-husband were separated and I met people, I didn't properly date. 'It was more like blurred the lines of friendships for me, that was normal. It felt comfortable because I'd done that as a teenager and I, as a teenager, I dated both men and women. My ex-husband knew. My family knew. It was never a secret for me.'' BYE BYE BOYS Although Christine refuses to put a label on her sexuality, instead preferring to call herself a 'free spirit', sources claim she has privately told pals that she can't ever see herself dating a man again. 'She didn't say this publicly on the podcast, but Christine has made no secret to her nearest and dearest that she believes she will only date women in the future. 'She's only ever had one serious relationship with a man, and that was the man she married, Paddy, but she prefers dating women because she feels more of an emotional connection with them. 'She still finds men physically attractive, but for her it goes deeper with a woman, almost on a spiritual level. 'Obviously, things can always change and you never know who will come into your life, but her friends have said they would be very surprised if Christine ever settled down with a bloke again.'

EXCLUSIVE The telling signs behind Christine McGuinness and Dan Osborne's snap amid claims the pair 'exchanged flirty texts' amid their marriage woes
EXCLUSIVE The telling signs behind Christine McGuinness and Dan Osborne's snap amid claims the pair 'exchanged flirty texts' amid their marriage woes

Daily Mail​

time7 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

EXCLUSIVE The telling signs behind Christine McGuinness and Dan Osborne's snap amid claims the pair 'exchanged flirty texts' amid their marriage woes

Christine McGuinness and Dan Osborne failed in their attempts to hide their growing bond for one another as far back as 2019, after it was reported the pair have leant on one another during their respective marriage woes. It's been reported that the pair exchanged 'flirty texts' while acting as a source of comfort during their personal struggles and they were previously pictured together in March 2023. Now, body language expert Judi James has revealed the telling signs that Christine, 37, and Dan, 33, were growing close soon after they met, noting the former TOWIE star's 'smug delight' at the attention they were drawing. Christine and her husband Paddy McGuinness, 51, separated in 2022 after 11 years of marriage, but continued to live together in their shared home for the sake of their three children. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Dan, however, has continued to work through his marriage breakdown with wife Jacqueline after they were thought to have called it quits in March after eight years of marriage. She said: 'A seasoned reality star like Dan who has always seemed to be a magnet for relationship rumours and who has allegedly admitted to making some 'mistakes' in the past should know all about the optics when it comes to paparazzi poses. 'With his hands stuffed into his pockets here though he walks along alone wearing a smug-looking rictus smile that bares his upper teeth and creates a 'crescent' eye shape to signal excitement and some sense of delight. 'His chin is raised in a gesture of happy confidence and his ego looks puffed at the camera attention. 'There will always be a tendency for the paparazzi to love to get another celeb in the same frame during event exits or entrances like this, giving the impression that they have left an event together but suspiciously walked apart in a bid to imply they have never even met. 'Christine's smile seems to mirror Dan's here though and both seem equally delighted at the press interest. 'Whether a relationship is platonic or not, male celebs wanting to discuss their marital 'woes' would always be wise to book sessions with a therapist or a counselor rather than a stunning fellow celebrity. 'They should also steer clear of any risk of pics like this with women who look as gorgeous as Christine McGuiness. 'And if they do seem to get close enough to ''accidentally'' share the same frame in a pic, at least adopt a neutral facial expression or chat to some male friend you've actually been at the event with in an authentic-looking act of ignore or unawareness. 'Even if nothing untoward has occurred it's only fair to your spouse that your behavior, your press images and your social media are all squeaky clean in terms of getting the rumour wheel turning again. 'Pictures of the pair attending a podcast launch party in 2019 show them attempting to keep their distance from one another.' In the midst of the claims surrounding Christine and Dan emerging, the reality shared a gushing tribute to his wife Jacqueline Jossa. EastEnders star Jaqueline posted a stunning photo in a plunging black gown, with her husband leaving the sweet comment: 'Beautiful!' Sources had claimed that Christine and Dan comforted each other through their marital woes, and exchanged a string of flirty texts. The model reportedly called Dan 'D' in their 'flirty texts' and they were also pictured together at London's The Hoxton hotel in March 2023. After news of their close friendship come to light, Christine reportedly said she is 'absolutely adamant nothing sexual happened between them both', with Dan suggesting the messages are 'deep fakes or AI '. A pal told The Sun: 'Dan and Christine have known each other for years. Their friendship goes as far back as 2019, when Jac was heading Down Under to the I'm A Celeb jungle, when they had a brilliant night out at a fund-raising gala in London. 'They stayed in touch sporadically and would bump into each other at events and their messages got pretty flirty. Some were seen by mutual friends. 'She would call him 'D' in texts and it became an open secret among their circles. There is no suggestion anything sexual happened, but it's fair to say there was a spark between them. 'She also was 100 per cent single at the time and could chat to anyone she wanted.' A source close to Christine alleged that Dan 'mainly led the way with texts', which often involved 'platonic stuff about their kids'. The publication also reported that Dan is 'devoted to Jacqueline and would hate for any suggestion of impropriety'. Dan and Jacqueline's relationship has been plagued by accusations of infidelity and in 2018 Dan was linked to Love Island's Gabby Allen after they were spotted getting close on a yacht in Marbella. Previously, The Sun claimed that Dan sent 'flirty messages' to his former Celebrity Big Brother co-star Gabby - months after the pair vehemently denied claims that they'd had an illicit tryst. In March 2019 rumours began to circulate that he had kissed Love Island's Alexandra Cane in a nightclub, which they both denied. 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'We all do as humans, but I've made some that have almost cost me my family. 'I am the luckiest man in the world to have what I have with Jacqueline and my three incredible children and I will spend the rest of my life being the best husband and dad that I can be. 'Jac, myself and our families are excited for the future, one filled with love and happiness together. 'We truly appreciate everyone that has supported us as a couple, we are ending this year stronger than ever.' The post was uploaded just hours after Jacqueline addressed how things were on Lorraine, saying her husband has 'done wrong' but that she wants to 'restart their relationship'. Not holding back, she said: 'The thing is, it's really funny because we've been going through it for two years - this isn't new for me. 'I want to hit the restart button, it's been two years of me giving him hell, he knows he's done wrong, there's lots of stuff that's not true that I can't talk about for legal reasons, but we're OK.' Dan and Jacqueline put on a united front in new loved-up social media messages amid their marital woes. But it seems the pair could be working things out, as Dan made his feelings clear by publicly commenting on Jacqueline's latest sizzling Instagram snap. The star looked incredible in a strapless black gown which featured a sequinned top half and a high split which allowed her to showcase plenty of leg, as she head off to the British Soap Awards on Saturday. Commenting underneath the snap, Dan penned: 'Beautiful,' to which Jacqueline replied: 'Thankyou my love x' It comes just days after the pair looked close as they cosied up to one another at a friends' wedding. In a snap shared by a friend over the weekend, it looks as thought the couple are back on as Jacqueline wrapped her arm around her husband's arm. The pair were seen sharing a carriage as they rode a roller coaster in wedding attire with a number of other guests. Both Jacqueline and Dan had cheesy grins on their faces for the snap ahead of the ride, as they enjoyed their friends' big day. Meanwhile, Christine recently opened up about her sexuality and her divorce from Paddy, as she revealed she has dated women since she was a teenager. The TV personality explained to Elizabeth Day on her How To Fail podcast, that her ex-husband and family have known about her sexuality since she was little and it was 'never a secret'. And now she has opened up about how she was dating women, including one two-year 'situationship', before she met Paddy, and admits she wants a connection for herself and not a step-parent for her children. She told the broadcaster: 'It shouldn't matter somebody's gender. It never mattered to me, which was why once me and my ex-husband were separated and I met people, I didn't properly date. 'It was more like blurred the lines of friendships for me, that was normal. It felt comfortable because I'd done that as a teenager and I, as a teenager, I dated both men and women. My ex-husband knew. My family knew. It was never a secret for me.' When asked if she has a label for her sexuality, Christine said she has thought about it but would consider herself more of a 'free spirit'. When asked about labels, Christine explained: 'No and again, I've thought about it. A lot of people always ask me, are you a lesbian? Are you bisexual? Are you what? Is this a phase? 'I've always been quite a free spirit. I think that's the only word I would put on it. When I was a teenager, I'd dated boys and girls. 14/15 was probably when I had my first kisses with, with both, and I never felt it was anything different or a big deal. 'Then I think where I grew up, everyone was kind of just there for a good time.' Christine explained that before Paddy she did date women and her longest relationship latest around two years. 'My longest was two years before I met my ex-husband and then I've had really, really lovely long situation shifts where we purposely haven't put a label on anything', she added. 'But my experiences with women have been lovely and It's not like women are better or worse. It's simply that the connection for me is different. I need a connection now. I need something different. 'I really, really, honestly, I love my family and Patrick is part of my family and he always, always will be. But now for my next relationship, I know what I want and I want someone for me. 'I want someone that I like spending time with, we can do stuff together that we both enjoy. I want that emotional connection where I can be open and I can talk and I can be vulnerable and I can ask for help, but I can also have a laugh and just have a good time. 'It's not like I'm trying to find a new family unit or someone to come in and be a stepparent. I want my next relationship to be for me.'

Paddy McGuinness and Vernon Kay team up for Celebrity Gogglebox as they join huge list of celebs signing up
Paddy McGuinness and Vernon Kay team up for Celebrity Gogglebox as they join huge list of celebs signing up

Scottish Sun

timea day ago

  • Scottish Sun

Paddy McGuinness and Vernon Kay team up for Celebrity Gogglebox as they join huge list of celebs signing up

A whole host of famous faces will be appearing dream team Paddy McGuinness and Vernon Kay team up for Celebrity Gogglebox as they join huge list of celebs signing up PADDY McGuinness and Vernon Kay have teamed up for Celebrity Gogglebox. The Radio 2 stars, both 51, join several other celebrity pairs for the upcoming series. Advertisement 3 Paddy McGuinness and Vernon Kay are joining Celebrity Gogglebox Credit: Rachel Joseph/Channel 4 3 The two appeared in a video posted on Gogglebox's Instagram account Credit: Instagram 3 James Buckley and wife Clair have also signed up Credit: Channel 4 Taking to social media, Paddy wrote: 'I still can't believe @vernonkay wears denim to relax? "This Friday we'll be on the couch, watching telly on @c4gogglebox." The pair also confirmed the news in a short video shared on Gogglebox's Instagram account. Speaking in the clip, Paddy said: "We are back with some belty TV." Advertisement Vernon added: "Oh yeah! Celebrity Gogglebox, back on Friday at 9pm. Enjoy." While Paddy concluded: "Look at that, I've even run a cloth over the sink." One enthusiastic fan shared on social media: 'This has made my Friday night.' Another made a reference to the pair's shared hometown of Bolton. Advertisement They wrote: 'OMG this is going to be amazing! Can't wait. The Boltonian A-Team.' The Sun previously revealed that Inbetweeners legend James Buckley and his wife Clair will also be joining Celebrity Gogglebox. Celebrity Gogglebox fans rip into Channel 4 just minutes into 'new episode' before switching of In our exclusive clip, the comedy star told fans: "Hi guys, how's it going? "We are joining the Gogglebox family. Advertisement "We're going to be watching some great TV and some not so great TV. "And you'll be able to join us on Friday on Channel 4 at 9pm." Paddy McGuinness' TV Timeline 2000-2001 - Phoenix Nights 2004 - Max & Paddy's Road To Nowhere 2005 - Max & Paddy's The Power of Two 2008-2010 - Rory and Paddy's Great British Adventure 2010-2019 - Take Me Out 2011 - 71 Degrees North 2013 - Your Face Sounds Familiar 2015 - Benchmark 2017-2018 - The Keith & Paddy Picture Show 2019 - Celebrity Juice 2019-2022 - Top Gear 2019-2022 - Catchpoint 2021-2022 - I Can See Your Voice 2021-2023 - A Question of Sport 2024 - Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping 2024-2025 - Inside The Factory 2023-2025 - Tempting Fortune Returning duos include Martin and Roman Kemp, Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan, as well as Gok Wan and Fearne Cotton. Also returning are are Mo Gilligan and Babatunde Aleshe, Gyles Brandreth and Lulu and Rylan Clark and his mum Linda. Advertisement Nick and Liv Grimshaw, as well as Clare Balding and Alice Arnold round out the line-up. Celebrity Gogglebox airs on Channel 4.

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