Exclusive:
Television personality Paddy McGuinness has confirmed he is on the dating scene but ‘happy being single’ after splitting from his ex-wife Christine following 11 years of marriage
Paddy McGuinness has revealed he’s moving on from his ex-wife Christine McGuinness.
The showbiz couple, who were married for 11 years, announced they had made the ‘difficult decision’ to part ways in July 2021 but vowed to always be a ‘loving family’. Ever since, rumours have swirled about their dating lives, but now the Take Me Out host, 50, has confirmed he has been on dates in an exclusive interview with the Mirror’s Sanjeeta Bains.
Paddy – who was linked to TV star Kirsty Gallacher last year – explained that he felt he was ready to get back out there. But after a couple of dates, he decided that for now, he is ‘happy being single’. He also confirmed that the former couple still live together at their family home in Cheshire as they continue to co-parent their three children.
Paddy told the Mirror: “I tried a couple of dates last year. After twelve months of adjusting to life on my own, I felt I should give it a try rather than really wanting to. For now, I’m happy being single.”
Paddy and Christine share twins Penelope and Leo, 10, and six-year-old Felicity, who all have autism. Their kids always come first – so it could be a tricky dynamic for a potential partner.
The TV star said: “If someone didn’t know our situation and came to our house and they spent the day with us, they would not have a clue [we were not together]. We get on well, we live together and co-parent. We get the lawyers back and forth but that’s separate – that’s a different thing.”
The exes also want the best for each other. Paddy said: “If Christine met someone else, I’d be supportive.” He added: “For now, we’re happy with how things are, living together and helping each other balance work and kids.”
In a candid chat with Vicky Pattison on her podcast last year, Christine explained that Paddy has been very honest about his dating life. She said: “We talk an awful lot and we’re very open. He has said to me when he’s been going on a date.”
Back in February 2023, Paddy was reportedly spotted on a date with TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher in London’s Soho. An onlooker told The Mail: “They were sitting together, laughing together and looking cosy. If you walked past them you would most certainly think they were on a date. They definitely looked like they would make a lovely couple.”
Later in the year, a source close to Paddy spoke about his ongoing love for Christine. They told Closer magazine in August: “Paddy’s always said that whatever happens, he’ll never stop loving Christine. And while they’re no longer in a romantic relationship, they are still very close and he just wants what’s best for her.” They said that living together “might seem unconventional, but it works for them and has brought them closer together”.
The couple spent Christmas together to make it special for their kids. Christine told Closer: “Of course me and Paddy will be spending Christmas together because we still live in the same house. I think we’ve got to move on, but for now it works for the children. We both go in and out and we’ve got a schedule we try to stick to and a routine for the kids. The one thing we agree on more than anything is that we just want what’s best for our children, and that’s to be a good mum and dad.”
With such a busy schedule, Paddy recently partnered with Onken Yogurt for its ‘Feed Your Inner Happiness’ campaign sharing his top tips for helping frazzled parents make more time for ‘joyful moments’. But those moments are unlikely to be at 8.15am. According to the campaign’s new research, it’s the most stressful time of day for people. And that includes Paddy.
“I’m not a morning person,” he said. “That’s the time that can be absolute chaos when you’re getting ready for work and dealing with the kids! I get the kids’ favourite breakfasts sorted and then they are out of the door for school.” Paddy loves it really though – that’s why he and Christine are refusing to let their split burst their family bubble.
Paddy McGuinness has teamed up with Onken Yogurt to share his tongue-in-cheek time-saving tips. Check out www.onken.co.uk/happiness-hub/.
