Christine McGuinness admits she “got really lucky” on her wedding day with ex-husband Paddy McGuinness. The 37-year-old model married the former Top Gear host in June 2011.
They walked down the aisle at the Grade-II listed Thornton Manor surrounded by around 200 guests. But the former couple called time on their relationship in 2022, with their divorce being finalised last year.
They continue to co-parent their three children, Leo, Penelope and Felicity. Christine has had relationships with rapper, model and DJ Roxxxan, and singer Chelcee Grimes, since her split from Paddy.
Christine however admits her wedding day with Paddy was the “most romantic” experience of her life. Recalling the day in Woman’s Own, Christine said: “The meaning behind marriage, making the commitment to each other, and everybody there to celebrate love, that’s incredible.
“We got really lucky, the day was just beautiful, we got married in Cheshire in a big manor house and the reception was in a big marquee near a lake. It was gorgeous.”
Since their split, Christine, who was diagnosed with autism and ADHD in 2021, admits she has only dated women. The former Miss Liverpool however says she doesn’t label her sexuality.
When asked if she identifies with a label on the How to Fail podcast, Christine replied: “No and again, I’ve thought about it. A lot of people always ask me, are you a lesbian? Are you bisexual? Are you what? Is this a phase?
“I’ve always been quite a free spirit. I think that’s the only word I would put on it. When I was a teenager, I’d dated boys and girls. Fourteen or fifteen was probably when I had my first kisses with, with both, and I never felt it was anything different or a big deal. Then I think where I grew up, everyone was kind of just there for a good time.”
Before dating Paddy, Christine says she had a two-year relationship with a woman. She added: “But my experiences with women have been lovely and It’s not like women are better or worse.”
Christine had signed up to Celebs Go Dating but pulled out of the show. The star later admitted she wasn’t ready for the “attention” it brought to her dating life.
Celebs Go Dating expert Anna Williamson told the Mirror: “Christine herself, nor us, could predict that she would get, a little way into the process and actually realise that this wasn’t something she was quite ready to do right now.
“And often we only know that only those who can make those decisions when we start to work on ourselves, and that’s what Christine did and it was very brave of her.”
Christine now says she wants her next relationship to be “someone for me”. She added: “I really, really, honestly, I love my family and Patrick is part of my family and he always, always will be. But now for my next relationship, I know what I want and I want someone for me.
“I want someone that I like spending time with, we can do stuff together that we both enjoy. I want that emotional connection where I can be open and I can talk and I can be vulnerable and I can ask for help, but I can also have a laugh and just have a good time.”