Paddy McGuinness’s wife is Christine McGuinness, though the couple divorced in 2024 after 11 years of marriage. They announced their separation in July 2022 but continue living together in their Cheshire family home to co-parent their three autistic children, twins Penelope and Leo and daughter Felicity. Their unconventional arrangement has drawn widespread attention and challenged traditional divorce narratives.
The Marriage and Separation Timeline
Christine was just 19 when she met Paddy, then 33, through a mutual friend in 2007. Four years later, on June 4, 2011, they tied the knot. The couple welcomed twins Penelope and Leo in 2013 and their daughter Felicity in 2016. All three children have been diagnosed with autism, and Christine herself received an autism diagnosis in 2021.
The couple’s separation was announced in July 2022 via a joint Instagram statement, though reports suggest they had actually split weeks earlier. A source at the time revealed that Christine was the one pushing to go public with the news, while Paddy initially wanted to present a united front for longer. Their divorce was officially finalised in October 2024.
Christine has been candid about the emotional toll of the divorce. She described the experience as difficult and challenging, admitting that the breakdown of her marriage was a scary time. She had never gone through a divorce before, and much of her anxiety came from hearing other people’s horror stories rather than her own lived experience.
The Co-Parenting Living Arrangement
What makes this separation truly unique is that Paddy and Christine still share the same home. They continue to live in their spacious Cheshire property, with Paddy occupying the top floor and Christine on the bottom. This arrangement was a deliberate decision made for their children’s wellbeing.
Because the children are autistic, they thrive on routine and familiar surroundings. Christine explained that putting the children in mummy’s house one day and daddy’s house the next would disrupt their sense of stability. She described the co-parenting arrangement as a blessing and noted that many families with children with special educational needs choose to do things this way, they just do not always talk about it publicly.
The couple are in no rush to sell the house. Christine considers it the children’s home, a place for them to grow up in. While she has expressed a desire to eventually have her own small flat, particularly in London where she spends much of her time for work, she is not pushing for an immediate change. The children love the house and the arrangement works for everyone involved.
The Divorce Settlement
The former couple’s property is a seven bedroom mansion worth an estimated £2.5 million, complete with a gym and swimming pool. Paddy retains ownership of the house, but Christine and the children may continue living there. Paddy argued that he could not afford a comparable property, and Christine prioritised the children’s need for familiar surroundings. While she has the legal option to force a sale, she has chosen not to exercise it.
Christine has also spoken about the financial cost of the divorce. She described it as the biggest bill she has ever paid in her life and clarified that she paid for her own divorce.Quick Bio: Christine McGuinness
Christine McGuinness Moving On
Since the split, Christine has been open about embracing her sexuality. She has confirmed that she is now only interested in dating women and would love to refer to someone as her wife one day. She described this as a celebration of love, though she has ruled out marrying again legally, wanting the freedom to walk away if needed. She has been romantically linked to several women, including musician Chelcee Grimes, DJ Roxxxan, and Olympic boxer Nicola Adams.
Dating while still living with an ex is not without its challenges. Christine has made it clear that she would never bring a date back to the family home, and she and Paddy have a mutual agreement not to bring new partners into the house. The children are not introduced to new people casually, and the home remains a protected space for the family. She has also said that while they initially agreed to keep each other informed about their dating lives to avoid tabloid surprises, after three years this is no longer necessary.
Christine has spoken about rediscovering her own identity post-divorce. After years of being seen primarily as Paddy’s wife, she now feels people recognise her for her own achievements. She is a best-selling children’s author, a campaigner for autism and ADHD awareness, and a documentary maker. She described feeling more in control of her life and expressed that one of the best things to come from the divorce was knowing she would be all right and that she would laugh, love and have fun again.
Paddy McGuinness Moving On
Paddy has also moved on romantically. He has been spotted in London with Emma Carey, a BBC Radio 2 publicist who also works as a yoga instructor. Sources describe the pair as incredibly comfortable together, with Paddy reportedly deliriously happy in the new relationship. He was seen leaving the swanky Rosewood Hotel with Carey after a romantic dinner and enjoying a two hour massage together.
Christine is said to be happy for Paddy and relieved that he has found someone new. Sources close to Christine have suggested she sees this as a positive step that will allow both of them to move forward more completely. She is reportedly eager to lead a more separate life from Paddy, though their co-parenting arrangement remains a priority.
Paddy has referenced the divorce in his stand-up comedy, joking about the financial cost of the proceedings during his Nearly There tour. This reportedly upset Christine, but the pair have maintained an otherwise amicable relationship.
Boundaries and Family Life
Despite their divorce, Paddy and Christine continue to function as a family unit for their children’s sake. They spend Christmas together, take family holidays together, and maintain a positive atmosphere in their household. Paddy described the home environment as a nice vibe where the children never feel anything negative.
The couple has established clear boundaries. They live in separate parts of the house, do not bring dates home, and keep their personal lives outside the family home. They are both transparent about their dating lives when necessary, though they have relaxed this rule over time. Their mutual priority remains the children, a commitment that has kept their co-parenting relationship functional and respectful.
Conclusion
The story of Paddy McGuinness and his wife Christine challenges the traditional narrative of divorce as something necessarily negative. While Christine described the experience as difficult and scary, the couple has built an unconventional but functional co-parenting arrangement that prioritises their autistic children’s needs. Their decision to continue living together while maintaining separate lives demonstrates that divorce does not have to mean a broken family. Both are now moving forward with their lives, Christine embracing a new chapter as a campaigner, author and advocate, and Paddy enjoying a new romance. Their story offers a model of modern co-parenting built on mutual respect and shared priorities.Why do Paddy and Christine McGuinness still live together after their divorce?
They continue living together to provide stability for their three autistic children, who thrive on routine and familiar surroundings . Christine has described the arrangement as a “blessing” and noted that many families with children with special educational needs make similar choices . The couple live on separate floors with their own rooms and are not in a rush to sell the family home .
Who is Paddy McGuinness dating now?
Paddy has been linked to Emma Carey, a BBC Radio 2 publicist who also works as a yoga instructor . The pair were spotted together in London, with sources describing them as “incredibly comfortable together” and Paddy as “deliriously happy” . Emma joined BBC Radio 2 in July 2025 and previously worked for BBC Radio 1, Warner Brothers and Sony .
Is Christine McGuinness dating men or women?
Christine has stated she is now only interested in dating women . She has described herself as a “free spirit” and revealed she dated both boys and girls as a teenager . She has expressed a desire to “call somebody my wife one day” and be in a “solid, loving, lesbian relationship” . However, she acknowledges that dating is challenging while still living with her ex-husband .
Do Paddy and Christine have rules about dating other people?
Yes, the couple has established clear boundaries. They are both allowed to date but do not overshare information about their love lives with each other . They have a mutual agreement not to bring new partners to the family home . This rule protects the children and maintains the home as a protected family space.
Are Paddy and Christine’s children autistic?
Yes, all three of their children, twins Penelope and Leo, and daughter Felicity, have autism diagnoses . Christine herself received an autism diagnosis in 2021, meaning Paddy is the only neurotypical member of the household, which he has described as making him feel like the “odd one out” .
