Christine McGuinness admits she 'delayed dating for a long time'

Christine McGuinness has admitted that she 'delayed dating for a long time' before finally meeting her new mystery partner.

The mother-of-three, 36, revealed last month that she's been dating someone since June, after they met on her birthday through mutual friends.

Now, Christine has shared she was in 'no rush' to start dating again after splitting from her husband Paddy in 2022, and said she's a 'completely different' person when she's around someone she trusts.

It comes as her lengthy divorce battle with ex Paddy has finally come to an end, with The Mail exclusively revealing that while Christine will remain at their £2.5million family home in Cheshire, her ex will be able to live there whenever he chooses.

Christine told Closer Magazine: 'I think I delayed dating for a long time because of the worries.

'I wasn't in any rush at all, but then it just happened - I met somebody on my birthday, we got on really well, kept in touch and then we started dating. I'm completely different when I'm comfortable around somebody.

'I thought the ''walking on eggshells'' feeling was part of my autism, but I haven't got that anymore.'

Last month, it was reported that Christine and Paddy - who have maintained a strong relationship and still live together with their children, twins Leo and Penelope, 10, and seven-year-old Felicity - avoided a lengthy court battle. 

Opening up about moving on from her ex-husband last month, Christine revealed the moment she met her special new person and said she's the 'calmest she's ever been.'

She began: 'I met them on my birthday through mutual friends and we've been dating since June. It's someone I know. I wasn't thinking anything at the time but we kept in touch and it's so nice and laidback.'

The TV personality added: 'There are no labels and that's what's been amazing. Paddy hasn't met them. It's still new and early days.

'After having a relationship in the public eye for so long I'm not sure I want the relationship to be public. I've only ever known what it was like to have a relationship that's in the public. This is nice.

'I've been really open and honest from the beginning about where I'm at and they're ok with that.

'I feel like I'm in good company. I don't get a lot of time to myself but when I do it's lovely and we laugh loads.'

The Mail revealed on Wednesday that following the finalisation of Paddy and Christine's divorce, they will both keep their £2.5 million Cheshire home. 

Sources close to the former couple said that Paddy argued he didn't have the money to buy another property as big as the marital home.

They added that Paddy will have access to the property whenever he chooses, and friends of Christine say they're 'devastated' since they don't think she got a proper settlement from Paddy – who she had been dating since she was in her late teens.

Christine was reportedly left 'devastated' after her Paddy made her the punchline of his jokes in his new stand-up show. 

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A source told the publication: 'She was devastated yesterday and was horrified to be a laughing stock, she didn't know Paddy was going to make her the butt of his jokes and felt shocked that he did.'

They added: 'She was distraught at the idea that people were laughing at her. She felt very low about this.'

Christine was reportedly hurt by the public jabs but vowed to remain focused on her family and career and is not interested in bad mouthing anybody.

Paddy's show, returning to stand up after an eight-year hiatus, drew laughter as he reportedly quipped: It's all about love and respect tonight. Loads of love in this room. I don't care what race you are, what religion, what your sexuality is.'

The TV presenter continued: 'I don't care how you identify. You can identify as a cat, for all I care. Put your litter tray in the corner, knock yourself out. 

He then took a brutal swipe at his ex partner: 'Tonight, folks, we're all here as human beings with one common goal — and that's to help me pay for my divorce. I've had the pants down, me, the pants down.' 

The model and presenter married in June 2011 and went on to welcome twins Leo and Penelope, 10, and seven-year-old Felicity, before splitting in 2022.