Christine McGuinness went 'extremely quiet' after fuss over her sexuality
Christine McGuinness has said she went "extremely quiet" and felt uncomfortable by the attention she received amid media stories about her sexuality.
The TV personality and Paddy McGuinness announced in 2022 they had split after more than a decade of marriage, and earlier this year she quit Channel 4 programme Celebs Go Dating because "the attention that brings is just too soon for me".
Blackpool-born McGuinness, 37, told the podcast How To Fail With Elizabeth Day that she has "struggled more because of the attention around my sexuality" rather than dating men and women.
"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," she added.
"As a teenager, I dated both men and women. My ex-husband knew. My family knew. It was never a secret for me.
"It was just a part of me and it was normal, so then when I was single again … that's what I'd done, but it was made such a big fuss of in the press, I almost went back into myself.
"I went extremely quiet, from feeling quite comfortable and happy and free. I almost was going backwards and I could feel myself shrinking and staying quieter because of the noise around it, it almost made me feel like, well, I must be doing something wrong because why would it be front-page news?"
She explained that the attention has "happened multiple times over three years" and she has not spoken about it before because of the focus on her.
She added that wants to be "able to date" and "enjoy it", before adding: "It shouldn't matter if they're male or female, it shouldn't matter what their gender is. I shouldn't really ever even have to explain in any way who I want to spend my time with. That's my business."
McGuinness also said she was told "never discuss it ever", while others have urged her to "talk about it".
She also said she was a "free spirit", when asked if she want to give her sexuality a description.
McGuinness also said: "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."
The former The Real Housewives of Cheshire star also spoke about "heartbreak" with one woman who she was with for two years.
"We actually left it very, very mutual. It was just that she was from (Czechia) so … she just couldn't move over here and I couldn't just get her move over there, so we left and it was really sad," she also said.
"It took me a while to feel comfortable to then go with a man, but the next person was of course, my ex-husband (Paddy) and I felt safe with him."
However, she said she "can't bring myself to feel comfortable with another man in that kind of way".
She married former Top Gear presenter Paddy in 2011 and they share daughter Felicity, and twins Leo and Penelope. All three children have autism and McGuinness confirmed Paddy continues to live with them.
McGuinness has fronted Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism, which was focused on her own condition, experiences raising her children, and other families seeking support.
She also said she wants "someone for me" for her next relationship, adding: "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 step-parent."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
BBC reveal they've cancelled Bake Off star's show after ten years on air
A GREAT British Bake Off star's BBC show has been cancelled after ten years on air. 4 The BBC has decided not to a renew a cooking show with Nadiya Hussain Credit: BBC 4 She was crowned Bake Off winner back in 2015 Credit: BBC 4 Nadiya went on to TV presenting career after her victory Credit: BBC Taking to Instagram, Nadiya shared a post revealing the news to her followers. She penned: "The BBC have decided that they didn't want to commission a show. "And for me, that was a huge turning point because it's something I've done for the past 10 years. "I was already on this steady trajectory of change and I was thinking about where I wanted my career to go, and when the BBC decided they didn't want to commission the show anymore, it really did kind of solidify everything for me, and it made me dig my heels in and think 'OK, I know where I want to be'." Read more on Bake Off The star said she was moving in a "positive direction", remarking: "I'm working on some new things, but for me it's about being my most authentic self, and working with people who believe my voice has a platform, and believing in my talent." A BBC spokesperson said: "After several wonderful series we have made the difficult decision not to commission another cookery show with Nadiya Hussain at the moment." Their statement added: "Nadiya remains a much-valued part of the BBC family, and we look forward to working together on future projects." Some of the star's past programmes include Nadiya's Fast Flavours, Nadiya's Simple Spices and Nadiya Bakes. Most read in Reality Since winning Bake Off, the star has gone on to enjoy a successful TV career. However, Nadiya previously revealed she The Great British Bake Off in the years after winning Nadiya Hussain on life since Bake Off, dealing with anxiety, and the importance of representation However, this was for a very specific reason. Speaking to , she said: "I stopped watching a few years ago, because working in telly ruins the viewing experience – I pick it apart in a way I never used to." Nadiya was one of the last Bake Off winners while it aired on the BBC . As fans will recall, the show would later move to Channel 4 in 2017. This is also saw Dame Prue Leith take over from Dame Mary Berry to join Paul Hollywood as a judge. The Great British Bake Off airs on Channel 4 . 4 Nadiya described the decision as "a huge turning point" Credit: PA
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Bleary-eyed Dan Osborne stumbles out of hotel after-party with Christine McGuinness while Jac Jossa was in I'm A Celeb
BLEARY-EYED Dan Osborne was seen stumbling out of a hotel after-party with Christine McGuinness while his wife Jac Jossa was in the I'm A Celeb jungle. The 2019 images have resurfaced after The Sun revealed reality stars 8 Bleary-eyed Dan Osborne was seen stumbling out of a hotel after-party with Christine McGuinness in 2019 Credit: James Curley 8 The Sun revealed the pair comforted one another amid their marital woes Credit: The Mega Agency The pair sent flirty texts and model Christine said Dan had joined her for raucous nights out that helped lift her spirits after her radio and TV host husband Paddy. The former Towie star was enjoying a night off parenting duties at London's Butterfly Ball, mingling with fellow TV personalities - including Christine - while Jacqueline was Down Under. Arriving on the red carpet , the father-of-three looked sharp in a black suit paired with a skinny tie. As the night progressed, Dan appeared more relaxed, having undone a few buttons and removed his tie. read more on Dan Osborne It seemed the influencer, who had been dismissed from Towie in 2015 following threats made to his ex-girlfriend, was enjoying himself at the event. Later in the evening, a dishevelled Dan was spotted laughing and smiling as his friends propped him up and helped him walk on the pavement. The bash also saw Dan mingle with other reality TV personalities, including Christine, Amy Childs, Inside, he was pictured enjoying a private chat with Chrstine - who, at one point, bursted into laughter at something he'd said. Most read in Celebrity At the time, reality star Dan was still building bridges with his actress wife over previous EastEnders star Jacqueline and Christine are both represented by the InterTalent agency. Jaqueline Jossa & Dan Osborne spotted spending secret night together at his home as they battle to save 8-year marriage Dan is adamant nothing happened romantically between the pair, even suggesting that the text messages between them were 'deep fakes or AI' when asked. Earlier this year, The Sun revealed Both temporarily removed their wedding rings. It was the second time they had parted ways over the past few years. Although it was claimed mum-of-two Jacqueline was furious, she later insisted the property purchase was for investment purposes only. Christine, married to Paddy for 11 years — and who has won an award for her documentary about her autism struggles — recently pulled out of Channel 4 show, Celebs Go Dating. In recent weeks, she has revealed she Another friend added: 'Christine is in a great place. 'She and Paddy are getting on well, everything is amicable, and she's super-excited about the future . "Life is good. 'Her friendship with Dan seems a lifetime ago. 'They don't really speak now.' 'Positive vibes' Christine and Dan have been involved in charity football matches with Sellebrity Soccer together, including in February 2023. She also managed Dan and other celebs in a game in February last year, in which he captained the team and scored in a 6-4 win on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. Proudly celebrating their victory, Christine wrote on online: 'It was my positive vibes I was sending. 'My men never let me down, we only do winning.' Dan has previously been hit by claims of cheating. But a pal insisted this behaviour was all 'very much in the past'. Just months after fan favourite Jacqueline was crowned Queen of the I'm A Celeb Jungle, He told The Sun he 'takes full responsibility for being crap'. He said: 'I've made mistakes. 'I've done things I shouldn't have done. 'Me and Jac have spoken about that and she has forgiven me. 'I know in the past I've denied things when they're not true, then when something has been true, I probably just kept my mouth shut. 'I was a different person.' 8 The former Towie star had been enjoying a night out at London's Butterfly Ball Credit: James Curley 8 They were seen enjoying a private conversation inside the event Credit: James Curley 8 She bursted into laughter at something he'd said Credit: James Curley 8 His wife Jac Jossa was Down Under in the I'm A Celeb jungle Credit: Rex 8 Earlier this year, The Sun revealed Dan had moved out of his and Jacqueline's home Credit: Getty 8 Christine was married to Paddy for 11 years Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
How Christine McGuinness & Dan Osborne ‘comforted each other' amid marriage breakdowns, had hotel meet & flirty nickname
REALITY stars Christine McGuinness and Dan Osborne comforted one another amid their marital woes, we can reveal. The pair sent flirty texts and model Advertisement 6 Reality star Christine McGuinness exchanged flirty texts with Dan Osborne Credit: Splash 6 Christine and Dan on a night out in 2019 Credit: James Curley At the time, reality star Dan was still building bridges with actress wife 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. Advertisement '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.' 6 Christine was married to Paddy McGuinness for 11 years Credit: Alamy Advertisement 6 Dan Osborne, who faced cheating claims, with actress wife Jacqueline Jossa Credit: Eroteme Our source said the pair met at London's The Hoxton hotel in March 2023 — a year after Christine called time with Paddy, 51. And the following month, she cheered him on at a celebrity football match in Cheshire. They also partied together at a restaurant called Habbibi in Leeds. Jaqueline Jossa & Dan Osborne spotted spending secret night together at his home as they battle to save 8-year marriage Our source went on: 'She is absolutely adamant nothing sexual happened between them. Advertisement 'She also was 100 per cent single at the time and could chat to anyone she wanted.' EastEnders star Jacqueline. 32, and Christine, 37, are both represented by the InterTalent agency. Former Towie star Dan, 33, is adamant nothing happened romantically between the pair, even suggesting that the text messages between them were 'deep fakes or AI' when asked. A pal said: 'Dan is devoted to 'Of course, it's possible for a man and woman to be mates.' Advertisement A source close to Christine said: 'Dan mainly led the way with texts but there was lots of platonic stuff about their kids.' Earlier this year, The Sun revealed 6 Christine said Dan had joined her for raucous nights out that helped lift her spirits Credit: James Curley 6 The pair are also said to have met in London in March 2023 Credit: James Curley Both temporarily removed their wedding rings. Advertisement It was the second time they had parted ways over the past few years. Although it was claimed mum-of-two Jacqueline was furious, she later insisted the property purchase was for investment purposes only. Christine, married to Paddy for 11 years — and who has won an award for her documentary about her autism struggles — recently pulled out of Channel 4 show, Celebs Go Dating. In recent weeks, she has revealed she Another friend added: 'Christine is in a great place. Advertisement 'She and Paddy are getting on well, everything is amicable, and she's super-excited about the future. "Life is good. 'Her friendship with Dan seems a lifetime ago. 'They don't really speak now.' 'Positive vibes' Christine and Dan have been involved in charity football matches with Sellebrity Soccer together, including in February 2023. Advertisement She also managed Dan and other celebs in a game in February last year, in which he captained the team and scored in a 6-4 win on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. Proudly celebrating their victory, Christine wrote on online: 'It was my positive vibes I was sending. 'My men never let me down, we only do winning.' Dan has previously been hit by claims of cheating. But a pal insisted this behaviour was all 'very much in the past'. Advertisement Just months after fan favourite Jacqueline was crowned Queen of the I'm A Celeb Jungle, He told The Sun he 'takes full responsibility for being crap'. He said: 'I've made mistakes. 'I've done things I shouldn't have done. 'Me and Jac have spoken about that and she has forgiven me. Advertisement 'I know in the past I've denied things when they're not true, then when something has been true, I probably just kept my mouth shut. 'I was a different person.'
