Christine McGuinness has shared her heartache at the prospect of leaving the £6.5million mansion she’s called home with ex Paddy McGuinness and their kids for half a decade. Speaking candidly, the Celebrity MasterChef contestant revealed: “I’m devastated about the sale. We don’t know how long it’s going to take.”
She confessed to the Daily Mail that packing up is simply not on the cards: “I can’t. It’s not an option for me. We both own the house.”
Christine disclosed that her split from the Top Gear star cost her around £300,000 last year – a staggering amount that was “my own money, that I didn’t even have,” she admitted.
Although Christine isn’t keen on parting with the Cheshire home, she believes it’s “the right time” for her to branch out solo and bid farewell to the lavish residence, reports Gloucestershire Live.
According to a Daily Mirror insider, Paddy, aged 51, resisted moving out after their 11-year relationship concluded: “Paddy is very much the king of his castle when it comes to their house,” said the source. “There was no way he was going to move into a smaller property while she stayed in their big house.”
The source disclosed: “It means that they both still own the house and Paddy will have access to it at any time.”
Boasting seven bedrooms, several en-suites, a gym, and an expansive children’s playroom decked with soft play gear, their abode catered perfectly to the needs of their family – including twins Leo and Penelope, 11, and eight-year-old Felicity.
Christine, who’s diagnosed with autism, confessed she was “petrified” at the thought of living solo.
On Kate Thornton’s White Wine Question Time podcast earlier this year, Christine candidly shared: “I still struggle with change and I’m just learning how to do things the best, what works for me and the children, and not what is expected.”
She and Paddy are aiming for a sizeable profit on their home, snagged back in 2020 for £2.1 million.
The dwelling, which realtors praise as perfect for entertaining guests, has hit the market with a whopping £6.5 million price tag, and Christine is crossing her fingers for “a good offer”.
Although they’ve managed three years under one roof post-split, occasionally seeing other people, reports say Paddy has chosen to call time on their cohabiting. Insiders reveal: “They felt it was best for a new start, for all concerned, which triggered Paddy’s decision to sell up.”
While Christine harbours some doubts about the move, she’s adopting an optimistic outlook: “I want to continue being myself and be on my own as a single divorced mum. It just feels like I’m finally falling into a place that I’m supposed to be in.”
Reach has sought comments from both Paddy and Christine’s representatives.