Christine McGuinness has never looked or sounded better, despite splitting from comedian husband Paddy McGuinness two years ago. The former couple still live together in their Cheshire home, co-parenting their three children, but she admitted recently that she is absolutely loving the single life. The 36-year-old said she has been enjoying getting out there again, and has what she calls a “busy dating diary”.
Christine’s kids, 11-year-old twins Leo and Penelope and Felicity, eight, are all autistic, and she was also diagnosed with the condition in 2021 – something that made her whole life “make sense”. So, as we celebrate Disability History Month, she opens up about representation on huge shows such as Strictly. The Blackpool-born model also talks to new about why she’s not ready to get her dancing shoes on yet – though she’s been asked – and what she’s learnt about herself since dipping her toe in the dating pool again.
Strictly has featured celeb contestants with disabilities in recent years. 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. I did The Real Full Monty, which had a Strictly theme the year I took part, because it was for breast cancer. I was doing it for my mum, so I had that power in me to go for it. 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 asked you to do it?
We might have spoken about it and had those conversations, but I’ll find the right time for me. The last couple of years have been extremely challenging – it’s been difficult, no matter how amicable things are. It’s difficult going through a divorce and knowing that one day you’re possibly going to have separate Christmases and houses. All of that is extremely heartbreaking, I think, for any family. It wouldn’t have been the right time for me to go off and do such a big TV show. But in the future, who knows? I love watching it. I think anything where you are learning a [new] skill is totally worthwhile.
Will you be making any more autism documentaries with the BBC?
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’d love to learn more about people as I’m interested in how they think –probably because I grew up being autistic and I didn’t know. I hid a lot. I would study people – and I still do it now – so I’d love to do something like that.
How have you found dating since your autism diagnosis?
I only started dating this year and I think I delayed and delayed it, because of the worries. 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.
What have you learnt about yourself since dating again?
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. I thought that was part of my autism – that walking on eggshells feeling. I haven’t got that any more.
What advice would you give to women who feel that way?
To have a look at everything around you and what could be triggering you. Is it your environment? Is it your job? Do you need to clear out your wardrobe? I always just thought that it was me. I always felt on edge. It was only after my diagnosis that I started to understand myself more.
Your Cheshire neighbour, Coleen Rooney, is on I’m A Celebrity – would you ever consider the jungle?
I think I’m A Celebrity is one of those things no one wants to actually do, but it’s the kind of opportunity you can’t turn down, and that’s 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. Are there any other avenues you would like to explore?
Documentaries are something that I’m always going to be passionate about, and I love learning about people and how our minds work, so I’d say that’s definitely where my interests lie. But who knows!
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