Paddy and Christine McGuinness shocked fans when they announced their split back in June – and last week it seemed the Take Me Out host was embracing life as a single man as he was pictured out and about without his wedding ring. Paddy looked in high spirits as he headed into Manchester with a group of friends, later taking to Instagram to share a smiley snap in a restaurant.
And though Christine, 34, has been thriving herself, throwing herself into the gym and holidaying with close pal Chelcee Grimes, as well being in talks for a potential reality show, this has hit her hard. Insiders tell Closer that seeing Paddy, 49, as a single man on the town has been painful for her.
The source says, “It’s not as if Christine expected Paddy to stay single forever, but it still shocked her to see him out with the lads without his wedding ring on. She’s been talking to mutual friends about it and apparently Paddy has said that now they’ve split, he’s not going to be sitting around in misery on his lonesome – he wants to get out there and meet people.
“She’s been thinking, ‘God knows what he’s going to get up to’ – and wondering if he’ll find someone, fall in love and be in a new relationship.”
Christine and Paddy first met in 2007 when she was just 19 and he was 36. They were married for 11 years and have three children, twins Penelope and Leo, nine, and six-year-old Felicity – all of whom have been diagnosed with autism.
At the time of their break-up, the couple released a joint statement, saying they were remaining friends and were co-parenting well, “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 and still live happily in our family home together.”
But sources add that this has thrown a spanner in the works for Christine – and that she’s struggling at the thought of Paddy moving on.
The source says, “It looks as though Paddy’s got a new lease of life and the thought of him getting serious with someone else, and potentially one day even having a family with them, has hit home. Her friends are telling her to just keep focusing on herself and the children, because she’s been doing so well. She’s trying to be strong and hold her head up high, but it’s hard for her right now. She’s determined not to react publicly and take the high road, but it’s still a challenge.”
