Christine McGuinness Faces a Tough Moment on Celebs Go Dating
If you tuned in to the first episode of Celebs Go Dating this week, you probably noticed Christine McGuinness seemed a bit out of her element.
The 37-year-old model, who had already announced back in May that she planned to quit the show, looked visibly uneasy during a key moment on the program.
The Ibiza Mixer That Felt Too Much
During the mixer, celebrities were asked to pick someone to take with them to Ibiza — a chance to get closer and explore potential romances.
But for Christine, the pressure was overwhelming.
She asked for a break, stepping outside with fellow star Kerry Katona and saying, “I need a minute, I can go for a minute, can’t I? I don’t want to just take someone away.
How can I go abroad with someone I’ve just met? This is just not normal.”
A Public Dating Scene That Felt Too Soon
Christine’s initial excitement about joining the show was clear, but she soon realized dating in such a public setting wasn’t something she was ready for, especially so soon after her divorce from TV presenter Paddy McGuinness.
She shared on Instagram that while she’d started filming in Ibiza, she had a change of heart and decided to return home to her family instead.
She wrote, “I joined Celebs Go Dating with great intentions but have realized that dating on a public platform and the attention it brings is just too soon for me.”
Still, she left the door open for a possible return in the future, grateful that the show’s producers were understanding.
Embracing a New Chapter in Her Love Life
On the show, Christine opened up about her personal journey.
“I feel like I’m a couple of steps away from being my new self and not ‘Paddy’s wife’. I’m coming out of the transition part,” she said.
She also revealed that she’s been dating women for the past three years and feels more comfortable exploring her sexuality in that space.
“I absolutely do love women. I’d love to explore that more.
When I was a teenager, I dated men and women before I was married, and now I’m really enjoying spending time with women,” she shared honestly.
Christine emphasized she doesn’t label herself strictly and has always identified simply as Christine.
Reflecting on a Difficult Divorce
Christine and Paddy McGuinness were married for 11 years before their split in 2022.
Even after separating, they stayed under the same roof to co-parent their three children — twins Leo and Penelope, and daughter Felicity — all of whom have autism.
She described the divorce as a tough process, especially as their family home, a £6.5 million mansion in Cheshire, went on the market.
“I’ve never spoken about the reasons for our divorce, and I don’t know if I ever will,” she said.
“It was a difficult time. We tried, but there just, unfortunately, was no repairing it.”
Christine’s Hopeful Outlook on Dating and the Show
Before deciding to step back, Christine was enthusiastic about her time on Celebs Go Dating.
She admitted she hadn’t dated much before and saw the show as a “crash course.” “I’m really excited to be joining the agency.
I’m going to have a summer of fun! Who knows what might happen?” she said.
She was also looking forward to working with the dating agents, hoping their coaching would help her navigate this new chapter.
