Christine McGuinness opens up on new romance after birthday date

Even after splitting up with her comedian husband Paddy McGuinness two years ago, Christine McGuinness still sounds fantastic and glowing. Although the former couple still live together and raise their three children in Cheshire, Christine has admitted she is totally enjoying being single, according to OK! The 36-year-old has a “busy dating diary” and has been embracing the chance to meet new people.

Her children, 11 year old twins Leo and Penelope, along with eight year old Felicity, are all on the autism spectrum, and Christine herself was diagnosed in 2021 – an insight that made her entire life “make sense”. Christine makes some sense of the significance of representation in well-known TV programs like Strictly Come Dancing as we observe Disability History Month. The Blackpool-born beauty also learns about her self-discoveries and why she isn’t yet ready to hit the dance floor despite being approached when she re-enters the dating scene.

In recent years, Strictly has featured disabled celeb contestants. Have you been asked – would you be a good representative?

Everyone asks that, but I don’t know. For me, it’s the live audience I would be petrified of, and when people look at me I feel they think, “Oh, well, she can’t be autistic because she’s done an underwear shoot, so she’s fine”. But a lot of it is on the inside. Almost like a swan]calm above the surface, paddling hard below the surface]. I’m calm on the outside, but my heart is racing 100 miles per hour. Because it was about breast cancer, I participated in The Real Full Monty, which had a Strictly theme the year before. I had the will to pursue it because I was doing it for my mother. But I would love to do Strictly Come Dancing, the TV show. I’d love to get more comfortable, care-free and not panic so much.

Have Strictly bosses directed you to do it?

We might have spoken about it and had those conversations, but I’ll find the right time for me. No matter how friendly things are, the past few years have been very difficult. Knowing that you might have separate Christmases and houses after a divorce is challenging. All of that is extremely heartbreaking, I think, for any family. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to launch and produce such a significant TV show. But in the future, who knows? I enjoy watching it. I think anything where you are learning a]new] skill is totally worthwhile.

Will you collaborate with the BBC to produce any additional autism documentaries?

I would love to. I can’t confirm anything right now, but I’m open-minded when it comes to what to do next. I love making documentaries. I’d love to explore more hidden disabilities – such as dyspraxia, ADHD and dyslexia. I’m interested in how people think, which is probably because I was autistic when I was younger and didn’t know. I hid a lot. I would love to study people, which I still do today.

Since receiving your autism diagnosis, how have you found dating?

Due to the concerns, I only just started dating this year, and I believe I kept going back. Not just because of how I am, and my sensory issues, but I wasn’t in any rush at all. And then it just kind of happened – I met somebody on my birthday, and we started dating.

Since we’ve been dating once more, what have you learned about yourself?

That I’m completely different when I’m comfortable around someone, and I’ve learnt that the nervous feeling I used to carry – that kind of anxiety – is a physical feeling, which I didn’t realise. Yet when you stop feeling that and you are comfortable in your environment, it’s not there any more. That feeling of walking on eggshells was something I suspected was a part of my autism. I haven’t got that any more.

What words of wisdom would you offer to women who are similar to you?

to examine what might be triggering you in the world around you. Is it your environment? Is it your job? Do you need to clear out your wardrobe? I always assumed it to be me. I always felt on edge. I only began to understand myself more after receiving my diagnosis.

Your Cheshire neighbour, Coleen Rooney, is on I’m A Celebrity – would you ever consider the jungle?

I believe that being a celebrity is one of those things that no one would want to actually do, but I don’t think anyone will turn down that opportunity, which is how I feel. It’s an incredible opportunity, but do I want to be covered in insects and all that? No, not at all! ]Laughs] However, I’m trying to say yes to more opportunities.

You recently took part in Celebrity MasterChef. Do you want to explore any additional areas?

I’m always going to be interested in documentaries because I enjoy learning about people and how our minds function, so I’d say that’s where my interests lie. But who knows!

Source: Mirror