17 March 2023 , 18:15
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Fans were floored when Christine and Paddy McGuinness announced their separation last year.
The former couple had been plagued by split rumours, and in July 2022 confirmed that yes, they had indeed parted ways.
But as parents to three young autistic children, Red Nose Day Comic Relief host Paddy and his model ex said their focus would be on keeping things as 'normal' as possible for Penelope, nine, and seven-year-old twins Felicity and Leo.
At the time, a joint statement on their Instagram pages said: "We hadn't planned on sharing this publicly until we were ready but the lack of privacy surrounding our personal life, we feel left with no other option but to clarify.
Paddy and Christine McGuinness were married for 10 years (Getty Images)
The former couple are parents to three children (Instagram)"A while ago we took the difficult decision to separate but our main focus as always is to continue loving and supporting our children.
Paddy leaves cheeky 'shower' quip on Amanda Holden's saucy lingerie shoot
"This was not an easy decision to make but we're moving forward as the best parents we can be for our three beautiful children.
"We'll always be a loving family, we still have a great relationship."
So while most exes can't wait to see the back of each other, the pair have come up with an unusual arrangement.
Instead of moving out and moving on, Christine - who was also diagnosed as autistic in 2021 - confirmed they would continue to "live happily in our family home together."
As well as both remaining in their Cheshire mansion, the pair even holidayed together and made sure that Christmas was about the five of them.
Christine and Paddy spent Christmas as a family, despite their split"We don't know what the future holds or how it's going to be moving forward, but we'll try to keep things as normal as possible," she told OK magazine!
"I'm quite happy for him to be there with the children and it's nice for them to see Mummy and Daddy just being alright. We can sit and have a cup of tea together and that's fine."
Explaining that 'that's what their children are used to', Christine said they've chosen to keep the separation from the children for now.
"They're so young. I'm trying to just stick to their normal routine," she added.
All three children have been diagnosed with autism, as has Christine (mrscmcguinness/Instagram)
Paddy is hosting Comic Relief tonight (David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)So what kind of relationship do they have now?
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Since the split, the duo have been focused on their own projects, with Paddy regularly away for work. He's also believed to have removed the heart tattoo that he got on his ring finger in tribute to his ex.
Christine, meanwhile, has been supported by her pal Chelcee Grimes, with who she was spotted kissing in Winter Wonderland.
The best friends were seen embracing and smooching during a trip to Winter Wonderland in London.
Wrapping up warm for the chilly temperatures, Chelcee and Christine were pictured playing a host of games on stalls, scooping two large soft toys before heading for a warm drink.
Christine McGuinness was spotted looking cosy with best pal Chelcee Grimes (Instagram)
The pair struck up a friendship on ITV's The Games (Instagram)As they sat down, the two pals were snapped leaning in for a kiss, seemingly not caring who was watching them as they twinned in matching bobble hats.
An onlooker told The Sun : "It was a sweet moment between Christine and Chelcee as they sat on a bench outside and enjoyed live music.
"They were wearing similar woolly hats and even had a little dance at one point.
"They didn’t seem to have a care in the world and looked like they were in their own little bubble, it was cute."
The pair have been enjoying each other's company since meeting on ITV's The Games.
Shortly after sharing a smooch with the mum-of-three, Chelcee posted a video of actress Zendaya waxing lyrical about 'good people'.
Chelcee has been a source of support for ChristineThe Spiderman star could be heard saying: "Some people are just good people and you can just feel it. And I don't know how to explain that, but there's this little spark they have or this little special thing that they have that just you feel safe and happy around them.
"I don't know what that is, but some people have it, and it's special."
As for Paddy, he was recently spotted on what is said to have been a date with TV star Kirsty Gallacher.
The Take Me Out host was reportedly seen 'getting cosy' with Kirsty at the Ham Yard Hotel in London's Soho.
"They were sitting together, laughing together and looking cosy," an onlooker told The Mail on Sunday.
Christine and Paddy still live together for the sake of their children (Instagram)"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."
It comes just weeks after Kirsty, 47, said she was dating again and ready for love after splitting from former rugby player Paul Sampson in 2015 after 16 years together.
"I'm currently dating! I'm not with anyone in particular right now, but I'm very open to something," she told Closer magazine.
"That would be really lovely."
*Red Nose Day's Comic Relief airs tonight at 7pm on BBC One.