01 March 2024 , 21:31
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Paddy McGuinness has spoken candidly about his split from wife Christine - suggesting their divorce could be a long way off.
The former golden couple announced that they were splitting from one another in 2022 after 11 years of marriage and after welcoming three children together. But while most couples decide to go their separate ways, 50-year-old Paddy and 35-year-old Christine still live together along with their kids; eight-year-old twins Leo and Penelope, and five-year-old daughter Felicity.
However, the Top Gear star has now spoken out about their arrangements and hinted that they could one day sort out their problems and become a couple again. In a frank interview, Paddy has said while he and Christine no longer share a bed, the pair still love one another deeply and he forgets that they're separated.
"There's no toxicity in the house, says it all really," he said. Paddy went on to add: "We have separate bedrooms because we respect that we aren't together any more but, whether we work it through or we don’t, what we do have is a really, really lovely family unit at home. We both love each other."
Paddy and Christine are parents to twins Leo and Penelope and younger daughter Felicity (Christine McGuinness / A Beautiful Nightmare)
The estranged husband and wife have previously explained they live together for the benefit of their kids (Instagram)He added to The Sun: "We still hug, and we're still messaging and phoning each other every day, we're just not jumping into bed together any more." He went on to paint a reasonably rosy picture of their life together, saying that their home is filled with laughter and love rather than arguments after the split. And he added: "I don’t think either of us are in a rush to get a divorce.” Paddy also said he is in no rush to start dating other women and said he is unlikely to sign up to dating apps like Hinge or Tinder.
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Paddy's comments come just weeks after Christine herself admitted that life hadn't changed that much for her and her estranged husband following their shock split announcement. She said in a previous interview that they were staying together in their family home for the benefit of Leo, Penelope and Felicity: "It’s the one thing that we completely agree on – the children’s needs come first. We don’t want them to be affected by anything. Patrick’s diary is busy, as it always is, so he very much dips in and out of the home, because he’s working away a lot."
Christine admitted it is the "same as when I was his wife" as she supports the children when Paddy is out at work. She said when he comes home, she then "tries to put some of her work in". The former Real Housewives of Cheshire star insisted it doesn't affect their children - who are all autistic - as they can stay in the one home and have their beds and routine.
Her comments had come amid reports the pair were gearing up for an expensive divorce case. One report suggested that Christine hoped to continue living in the £4million family mansion. Lawyer Catherine Bedford, 52, who worked with Ant McPartlin's ex-wife Lisa Armstrong in their divorce settlement, was supposedly due to represent Christine. Ms Bedford was previously described as a 'Pitbull attorney' in American media.
Days after divorce reports appeared online, Paddy and Christine gave fans hope that they were on friendly terms as they shared a cute photograph together in the run up to Valentine's Day. They posted a photo of their feet touching while sitting back and watching TV - with Paddy writing: "Strong high arch game in our house but there can be only one! Who takes the crown and the Pes Cavus bragging rights? Mum or Dad? School boy error leaving my socks on."
The snap drew the attention of fans who praised the exes for being so warm. One wrote: "You both have such a lovely relationship regardless of whether it is just as parents or as husband and wife which is no one else's business. But credit to both of you for ensuring the children are not caught between either parent but is both of your priorities. you are a lovely family." Another typed: "You two are such an amazing example for your children. Whatever you do, kids come first and you two are freaking winning," another echoed. While another commented: "Lovely to see the two of you still sharing moments like this. You are both amazing and such good parents to your beautiful children."