Former Real Housewives of Cheshire star Christine McGuinness has taken to Instagram to thank fans for their support after her emotional documentary with husband Paddy McGuinness aired on the BBC this week.
After all three of their children were diagnosed with autism, Christine and Paddy have been vocal about parenting kids with neurodiverse needs; and this year were commissioned to front their own documentary titled Paddy & Christine McGuinness: Our Family and Autism.
The one-off episode took an in-depth look at the challenges faced by the couple after Felicity, Leo and Penelope were all confirmed to be autistic; with Christine herself receiving the same diagnosis in her forties.
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She wrote on Instagram, “Thank you so much for your love and support from our documentary last night, the response has been incredible 🥲.
“The biggest thank you to my babies 🥰 they have no idea how special they are. They’re happy, carefree children, included and understood.. just how their little lives should be.
“Leo, Penelope and Felicity I truly believe you are changing the world 🌎 All three will take part in the school nativity today 🥺 I’m nervous but incredibly proud ❤️ Keep shining my little superstars ❤️.”
No, YOU’RE crying.
CHECK OUT axed RHOCheshire stars - where are they now?
Axed Real Housewives Of Cheshire Stars - new slider
1 of 18Magali Gorré
"If you're gonna cross me, you'd better not cross me. You don't mess with Magali."Magali starred in Real Housewives of Cheshire in 2015. Although the housewife only appeared in series one and two, after shouting-matches and rifts, she definitely left a lasting impression on her co-stars. Magali even found herself wrapped up in a twitter-spat with RHOC star Ester Dee in spring 2018, when Ester claimed she didn't know who Magali was.
2 of 18Magali Gorré
Four years on, Magali is still living the highlife. The football-mum prides herself on her luxurious lifestyle, which she regularly shares with her 100k+ Instagram followers.
3 of 18Missé Beqiri
Missé Beqiri joined the RHOC cast in April 2016 for series three, but by series five in March 2017, Missé had been demoted to a 'guest housewife'.
4 of 18Missé Beqiri
The model divorced her footballer husband of two years, Anders Lindegaard and got together with Jake Hall - yes, Chloe Lewis' ex from TOWIE. Missé and Jake went on to get engaged and have a daughter together, River. But it hasn't all been plain-sailing for the two reality stars - as Jake received a brief restraining orderto stay away from Missé in December 2018. The pair are back together and co-parenting baby River and Missé's son from her marriage with Anders.
5 of 18Ampika Pickston
Ampika Pickston was an original housewife - joining the RHOC family in series one and lasting until 2017, when she left after series five.
6 of 18Ampika Pickston
After a long on/off relationship with partner Mark, Ampika revealed in July 2018 that she was engaged after a new whirlwind romance. Whilst Ampika continues to keep her mystery romance under wraps, she promotes her own weightloss company - Skinny Revolution throughout her social media.
7 of 18Leanne Brown
Fans were shocked when OG cast member Leanne Brown didn't return for series six in spring 2018. After an upsetting feud and long court battle with ex-bestie Dawn, Leanne decided to call it quits on the ITVBe show.
8 of 18Leanne Brown
Leanne still keeps her fans up to date with her enviable WAG lifestyle - and reportedly even has a tell-all memoir in the pipeline.
9 of 18Stacey Forsey
Stacey Forsey became a guest-housewife in series one (no - we don't remember either) before joining the cast full time for series three - six.She was demoted to 'friend' status by series seven.
10 of 18Stacey Forsey
Nowadays the artist-turned-writer promotes her lifestyle brand and book, Scrumplicious Sweet Treats: Gluten, Dairy and Egg Free, through Instagram.
11 of 18Nermina Pieters-Mekic
Nermina lasted just under a year on the hit ITVBe show before producers made her a 'guest-housewife'.
12 of 18Nermina Pieters-Mekic
According the Nermina's website, the aspiring pop-star has begun a new chapter of her life focusing on re-establishing her music and modelling career in the UK and worldwide, whilst enjoying her suburban life with her husband, dogs and horses.
13 of 18Lauren Simon
OG housewife Lauren lasted an incredible eight series on the show and was loved by fans for saying exactly what she thought. Remember that squirm-inducing scene with Taylor Ward and Sam Reece? Exactly.
14 of 18Lauren Simon
We were devastated when Lauren quit the show before series nine. Her on / off friend Dawn Ward said: "Lauren has some personal stuff going on."Lauren's an amazing person, I am missing her to bits. I speak to her daily but she has other commitments at the minute that she needs to concentrate on."In January 2020 it was revealed that Lauren was back in the bosom of the RHOC family - yaaaaas.
15 of 18Perla Navia
Perla Navia was a housewife from series seven to ten, and was introduced as the yoga teacher of Rachel Lugo's husband John.
16 of 18Perla Navia
Perla announced she would not be returning for series 11, and wrote on Instagram: "And the time to hang my heels is finally here! Leaving the show was a difficult decision but necessary."I will miss every single person from the unbelievably production crew that make the show happen, they work endless hours to create the magic and peeps I'll take my hat off to you! Thank you."
17 of 18Leilani Dowding
Page 3 model Leilani Dowding lasted just one season (ten) in the show but in her brief appearance managed to rile many cast mates, including Dawn Ward and Christine McGuinness.
18 of 18Leilani Dowding
Leilani revealed in January 2020 that she would not be returning to the show. In March 2020, she and her rocker boyfriend, The Cult's guitarist Billy Duffy, became engaged.
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Christine’s celeb pals and followers took to the comments to congratulate the family, with one writing, “So proud of you all ❤️ [it] was a really well-made documentary and your house definitely runs on love 💕 well done again, so happy you are all helping to change the world 🌍.”
“You both articulated so well, the thoughts and the feelings that parents have,” began a third. “I felt like it was me and my partners voices talking. It was brilliant, but also so lovely and heart-warming.
“Your children, and all the other children involved in it were all so lovely and fabulous, I have a non-verbal 4 and a half year old, and like all other parents can’t help but wonder what will be.. but ultimately I have to take myself back to ‘what will be will be’…Thank you so much for sharing your story, it was lovely xx.”
In her recent autobiography, A Beautiful Nightmare, Christine spoke candidly for the first time about receiving her own diagnosis; admitting that much of her difficult adolescence “made sense now”.
“I have been confirmed as autistic. It’s strange, but I’ve noticed there are little hints throughout my life that I’m autistic and more like my children than I ever could have imagined,” she wrote.
“My issues with food, my social struggles, how hard I find it to make friends and stay focused, and my indecisiveness. The way I float through life reminds me of how my eldest daughter Penelope is.”
She continued, “It was a lot to take in and once my appointment was over, I broke down in floods of tears. I think it’s because the news conjured up a mixture of emotions and while I’m not totally shocked and it’s a relief, I’m just really sad for my younger self.”