Paddy McGuinness admits his money has run out after years of lavish spending
Paddy McGuinness says he’s going back on tour - because he’s run out of money.
The 50-year-old TV host, actor and stand up comedian will be hitting the road in 2024 for his first time since his 2015 tour - which was titled Daddy McGuinness. Away from his work on TV and stage, Paddy has endured a turbulent marriage to model Christine McGuinness, 35, which began in 2011 and collapsed in 2022.
Together the pair welcomed three children; nine year-old twins Leo and Penelope, and six year-old daughter Felicity - and the dad-of-three has famously discussed the fact all three of his children are autistic. Christine was diagnosed with autism herself in 2021 - and the marriage began to crumble not long after her condition was identified.
The couple are now believed to be going through a divorce - while Paddy’s income has been dented after the BBC made the decision to axe Top Gear, which he had co-hosted from 2019. This month, Paddy announced his new stand up tour - which will see him go on the road in 2024 and 2025 - and he has been appearing on TV to promote the new show.
On Wednesday, he was a guest on ITV’s This Morning where he joined the sofa with hosts Emma Willis, 47, and Rylan Clark, 35. Show host Emma Willis asked: “Why have you waited eight years?” And the comedian, very honestly, admitted: “Erm, well the money's run out now so it took about eight years to spend it all and I'm like, 'I've got to build it back up'.
EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness“So weirdly, writing a tour and putting one on does take a lot of your time. When we had the breather from Top Gear, I'd been planning it for a long time, I went, 'There's a window there'. So I start it next year, but towards the back end of next year. And then it goes into 2025.”
Paddy announced his touring plans via social media on Monday, writing on Instagram: “I’ve been itching to tell you this! After a six year break I'm finally back on Tour!!! Paddy McGuinness - Nearly There. All pre ticket sale links in my Bio. See you in the New Year… live!!!!”
The news came just weeks after the BBC made the decision to scrap long-running car show Top Gear. The long-running series had been off the air since last year as main host Freddie Flintoff, 46, was involved in a near fatal accident.
Bosses made the decision after Freddie was seen in public for the first time since his December 2022 crash - and was still recovering from the injuries in September this year. On November 21 this year, BBC bosses released a statement, explaining: “[The BBC has] decided to rest the UK show… [we remain] committed to Freddie, Chris and Paddy who have been at the heart of the show's renaissance since 2019, and we're excited about new projects being developed with each of them. We will have more to say in the near future on this.
"We know resting the show will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do. All other Top Gear activity remains unaffected by this hiatus including international formats, digital, magazines and licensing."