NEWS
Fans were shocked when Paddy and Christine McGuinness announced their separation, but nearly a year on, Christine is focused on having a summer of fun – and is open to a new romance
They split in July last year after 11 years of marriage. But far from wallowing in self-pity following the separation from her husband, Paddy, Christine McGuinness is determined to live her best life with her friends.
The model, 35 – who first started dating TV presenter Paddy in 2007 – recently enjoyed a spa break with her “soul sister”, singer-songwriter and footballer Chelcee Grimes. “Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments,” Christine told her 710k Instagram followers.
EXCITED
And pals say the Real Housewives Of Cheshire star is vowing to spend even more time with her friends and three children – twins Penelope and Leo, nine, and seven-year-old Felicity – who she shares with Paddy, 49.
“Christine is really treasuring her friendship with Chelcee right now. She’s finally feeling strong and confident after a roller-coaster year, and is valuing the importance of female friendships,” says the insider. “She’s excited about them having more wild holidays together with mutual girlfriends, where they can let their hair down, and just generally getting her spirits back up.”
STABILITY
Previously, Christine – who was diagnosed as autistic in 2021 aged 33 – has described herself as “a real loner” and a “recluse” due to the nature of her condition. “There have been times in my life where I desperately wanted a friend,” she admitted. So it’s no wonder that she’s thrown herself headfirst into her friendship with Chelcee, 30, who she met on ITV’s The Games last year. “Chelcee is my soul sister,” Christine shared. “Just straight away from the day I met her, I just loved her. She’s hilarious. And honestly, it was just the best time on the show.”
But those close to Christine are worried her fun-loving social media posts are masking the fact that she misses the security of being in a committed relationship. Earlier this month, the former couple jetted off on a family holiday to Spain with their children and Christine’s mum, Joanne – and Christine’s friends fear the glamorous TV personality will not meet someone new because she’s spending so much time with her estranged husband.
“Christine has said that she and Paddy are still navigating their way through their split, trying to do what’s best for the kids and testing the waters by co-parenting together,” they reveal. “She maintains that she’s single and is looking forward to travelling more this summer with her new gal pals, particula
