Christine McGuinness

Model and TV personality, Christine McGuinness, has opened up about her autism diagnosis, sexual abuse and battle with mental illness.

She was also sexually abused from age nine to 11 and then raped at 14. She told the BBC: “I was a very confused, mixed-up little teenager not really knowing where I fitted in.” Advertisement

Christine said that she "can't imagine living with anyone else" in her new BBC documentary.

I've found myself in this position where I don't really know what to do with it but then I am just going into a new chapter, I suppose, on my own. She discussed how she is adapting to life as a single person since splitting with her husband of 11 years. I can't imagine living with anyone else. [HERE](https://www.facebook.com/CelebLife/) In the new programme, she will explain the struggles due to her diagnosis including navigating the dating world again since becoming newly single. [ signing up here](https://data.reachplc.com/220033076552850) So I've only ever had this one man in my life in 15 years. [Amanda Holden 'showed more than she meant to' in 'beautiful' pics](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/amanda-holden-showed-more-meant-26467255) [ITV's Loose Women cancelled for the rest of the week](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/tv/itvs-loose-women-cancelled-rest-26459916) [Warning as DWP PIP claimants could be impacted by Jeremy Hunt's 'back to work' Budget](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/warning-dwp-pip-claimants-could-26465553) [Highway Code rules for if someone blocks your driveway](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/highway-code-rules-someone-blocks-26456414) [Manchester Airport issues new warning to all travellers](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/manchester-airport-issues-new-warning-26467955) [ ITV's Lorraine](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/itv) as Christine was clearing out her wardrobe. [Christine McGuinnness:](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/christine-mcguinness) Unmasking My Autism will air on [BBC](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/bbc) this evening. [Iceland issues pizza warning to all customers](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/iceland-issues-pizza-warning-customers-26470758) [diagnosed](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/nhs) with autism at the age of 33 and all three of her children have also been diagnosed as being on the spectrum.

BBC documentary maker will return tonight with an hour-long exploration of autism and how it has affected her life.

So that's one thing I suppose I chose to do, not because I'm autistic but, as I understand myself better now, because that's where I'm comfortable, just knowing that it was me and Patrick and the children. She said: "I don't know what to do with it. In 2021, the 34-year-old TV star and author discovered she is autistic. She added: "I have only ever had this one man in my life for 15 years. I have found myself in this position now." I have been with my husband since I was 19 years old."

Christine McGuinness has admitted she can't imagine living with any other man but her ex Paddy McGuinness as she opened up about her fears for dating after ...

"I felt like I said in the film I didn’t want my family to ever fall apart. I like things to stay the same I can't imagine living with anybody else, I don't know what it's like to date."

CHRISTINE McGuinness has opened up on single life following her split with husband Paddy in a heartbreaking segment to air on her new TV show.The mode.

[The Real Housewives of Cheshire](https://www.thesun.co.uk/topic/real-housewives-of-cheshire/), [The Real Full Monty](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/16979778/when-strictly-real-full-monty/) and [The Games.](https://www.thesun.co.uk/topic/the-games/) ](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/21602251/christine-mcguinness-unhappy-marriage-top-gear-paddy/) [return to more reality TV.](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/21705671/christine-mcguinness-huge-hint-reality-show/) [ split last year](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/19286232/christine-paddy-mcguinness-split-instagram/). [suffers with ADHD.](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/18495580/christine-mcguinness-diagnosed-adhd-after-autism/) [lavish Cheshire home](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/6637242/top-gear-paddy-christine-mcguinness-mansion-live-together-split/) as she admits she is "petrified." [ told how she was "really not fine"](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/20096155/christine-mcguinness-anxious-paddy-ntas-marriage-split/) in the painful aftermath of their split. [broke her silence on their painful break up](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/21542282/christine-mcguinness-break-silence-paddy-split-loose-women/) on [ITV](https://www.thesun.co.uk/topic/itv/) show [Loose Women](https://www.thesun.co.uk/topic/loose-women/) last week. [ Christine revealed she had been diagnosed with autism](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/16734328/christine-mcguinness-diagnosed-autism-children/) - just like her [three children](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/20806580/christine-mcguinness-christmas-kids-eating-chicken-nuggets/) Penelope and Leo, nine, and six-year-old Felicity with ex [Paddy](https://www.thesun.co.uk/who/paddy-mcguinness/), 49. [Christine](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/3742769/christine-mcguinness-paddy-mcguinness-wife-children/) will detail the impact of her broken heart on her life in her BBC show Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism, which is available on iPlayer today.

Christine McGuinness has made a brave statement about sexual abuse she faced ahead of her new BBC documentary about women and autism.

It will also be available on iPlayer after airing. It’s scary. “It’s something that petrifies me as a mum of two young girls and a boy. It was just awful.” It’s something that petrifies me as a mum of two young girls and a boy. Christine admits it’s “frightening” but “important” to have a discussion about sexual abuse among autistic women and girls.

Christine is back on the BBC with a doc exploring her autism tonight.

I just didn’t want to live, just because it was so awful. “I experienced that and I didn’t speak up, and I wonder if I never said it because I was autistic,” Christine said. Mum-of-three Christine said: "They need to make sure that they fully understand what consent is, autistic girls typically do want to fit and people please and do give into peer pressure a lot more than a neurotypical girl." It was just awful.” "This is a serious and deeply concerning issue," Dr Brook said. She added: “Was it me?

'I'd pray every night that I wouldn't wake up in the morning,' said model and TV personality in new documentary about autism.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If you are a child and you need help because something has happened to you, you can call the NSPCC free of charge on 0800 1111. You can also call the NSPCC if you are an adult and you are worried about a child, on 0808 800 5000. I just didn’t want to live, just because it was so awful. “Was it me? Is it my fault?

The former model from Blackpool will reveal all in her new documentary, Christine McGuinnness: Unmasking My Autism. Months on from her split from ex-husband ...

I've found myself in this position where I don't really know what to do with it but then I am just going into a new chapter, I suppose, on my own. She discussed how she is adapting to life as a single person since splitting with her husband of 11 years. Following the diagnosis of all three of her children who have autism, Christine was also diagnosed with the learning difficulty aged 33. [Blackpool](https://www.lancs.live/all-about/blackpool) will reveal all in her new documentary, Christine McGuinnness: Unmasking My Autism. Christine appeared on Lorraine who described it as a "very powerful show". I can't imagine living with anyone else.

The model and autism campaigner has filmed her first solo documentary about autism in women and girls.

Speaking in her documentary, in a clip which aired on ITV's Lorraine, she said: "I think the changes for me, although they are massive, I am doing everything very slowly. I can't imagine living with anybody else, I don't know what it's like to date." I hope that you learn loads and I hope autistic women and girls are a lot more understood." Taking to Instagram on Wednesday (March 15) after she appeared on BBC's Morning Live, Christine spoke to the camera from the studio and said with a laugh: "I probably should mention that it's documentary day. Alongside the clip, the 34-year-olf wrote: "Talk, talk and talk some more.. This has been a passion project for me that I have worked on all of last year and it's finally going to be on telly for everyone to see."

The model, whose three children Penelope and Leo, nine, and Felicity, seven, are also autistic, stars in a new BBC documentary, Unmasking My Autism.

“I embrace that we’re all completely unique,” she said of her and her autistic children. “There’s a lot I’ve got in common with the children. [hristine McGuinness](/topic/christine-mcguinness) said that telling her children she was autistic was “the best part” of coming to terms with the diagnosis.

The Games star was on BBC Morning Live and urged fans to tune in TONIGHT as the show airs from 9pm.

I can't imagine living with anybody else, I don't know what it's like to date." She said: "I think the changes for me, although they are massive, I am doing everything very slowly. In the past I used to feel like such a nuisance - I still do sometimes but I understand how I am." She added: "I hope you all love it and enjoy it. She added: "Should be fun." The [ITV](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/itv) The Games star was on BBC Morning Live and urged fans to tune in TONIGHT as the show airs from 9pm.

The reality star, 34, bravely speaks about her harrowing childhood in her new BBC documentary, Unmasking My Autism .

'For parents and carers to be more aware is a positive thing. - Unable to point at objects or look at objects when others point to them Important topic: Christine, who diagnosed with autism at the age of 33, highlights in her new documentary how the disorder can make individuals more vulnerable to sexual abuse Abuse: The reality star, 34, was sexually abused from the age of nine to 11 by 'someone close to her family' and raped when she was a teenager Christine, who diagnosed with autism at the age of 33, highlights in her new documentary how the disorder can make individuals more vulnerable to sexual abuse. The reality star, 34, was sexually abused from the age of nine to 11 and raped when she was a teenager.

Christine McGuinness and her ex husband Paddy announced they were splitting in July last year after 11 years of marriage. The couple had met when Christine ...

[unhappy during her marriage to Paddy](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/christine-mcguinness-explains-real-reason-26395233) but said that she had decided to stay because her autism meant she didn't like change. She said she had not caused the 'situation' between her and Paddy. I can’t deny we are having a very, very difficult time," she said. "We hope this now draws a line under anymore unwanted and unnecessary intrusion into our private life. Although we work in the public eye we ask kindly if you could respect our wishes for privacy on this matter. This was not an easy decision to make but we’re moving forward as the best parents we can be for our three beautiful children.

The couple revealed last July they had separated, just seven months after their moving BBC documentary aired.

It was just in my head as I understood it as an autistic mum, I really magnified what a mum is." I wanted to go to every meeting and I wanted to stay at home, I wanted to cook and clean and have all of the clothes lined up perfectly. She adds: “I think when I say playing a role I mean I take it to the extreme, I wanted to be the perfect wife and the perfect mum. So that’s one thing I suppose I chose to do, not because I’m autistic but, as I understand myself better now, because that’s where I’m comfortable, just knowing that it was me and Patrick and the children. You just have to deal with it in the best way possible." "I didn’t want my family to ever fall apart and that’s why I stayed married," she admits. We both just want to be there to support the children and give them an amazing summer." He made me laugh, though, he is quite a charmer and we just clicked." Christine and Bolton-born star Paddy, 49, met in 2007 when she was modelling at the Liverpool Tennis Tournament in 2007. This was not an easy decision to make but we’re moving forward as the best parents we can be for our three beautiful children. "We hope this now draws a line under anymore unwanted and unnecessary intrusion into our private life. On 22 July, Christine and Paddy announced that they were calling it quits on their 15-year relationship.

McGuinness, who was diagnosed in adulthood, is enlightening when discussing the link between autism and eating disorders.

The programme explained that autistic girls can struggle with the idea of consent – not knowing what behaviour is acceptable, not expecting people to lie, wanting to please in order to “fit in”. I learned for the first time about the links between autism and eating disorders, and why they often manifest in girls of secondary school age. At the end of that programme, Christine was told that she had it too. Anne Hegerty, quizzer on The Chase, received her diagnosis at 45, having watched a programme about the condition and recognised some of the traits in herself. A professor of psychology in eating disorders at the Maudsley Hospital assessed all of her patients and found that one-third met the criteria for autism. The TV presenter Melanie Sykes was diagnosed at the age of 51, and said her life had finally started to make sense.

After being diagnosed with autistm at the age of 22, the TV presenter set out to find why so many women and girls go undiagnosed for so long.

Just like Fi and Leanne, McGuinness’s diagnosis had given her a new lease of life and she was able to take on new challenges armed with the knowledge of her autism. She had also been raped and had been sexually abused from the age of nine. McGuinness’s sensory issues around food had led to an eating disorder as a teenager, something she learned wasn’t an uncommon experience for women with autism. If she had been taught about consent at school or if her autism had been Not only was she overwhelmed by the noise of the guests and the overpowering smells of perfume, food and alcohol, the script she had practised for when she’d hand out the final award for the night was changed at the last minute. Due to the challenge of recognising social cues, autistic women and girls are vulnerable and their need to be seen as neurotypical often leads to them misunderstanding the notion of consent.

Christine was diagnosed with autism last year around the same time she separated from Paddy. Speaking to viewers she said: “I've separated with my husband in ...

I know being a single woman and a single parent is an extremely vulnerable place to be and it terrifies me.” While @Autistic_Cherry added: “Hopefully Christine McGuiness’ #UnmaskingMyAutism on BBC really opens the eyes of the public to the reality of living as an Autistic woman. Didn’t know why I was different to everyone else.” I’ve been with my husband since I was 19 years old so I have only ever had this one man in my life for 15 years and I can’t imagine living with someone else.” Later on in the show Christine broke down in tears as she spoke more about her marriage break down. I am going into a new chapter on my own I suppose, which is hard for someone who doesn’t like change.”

The 34-year-old former model was diagnosed with autism at 33 - and has opened up about how the condition affects her daily life.

And suddenly finding themselves in a situation they didn't know they had consented to be in but they were in it. But yeah, it's something I experienced when I was a teenager." [talking to your child about eating disorders](https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/eatingdisorders/Pages/eating-disorders-advice-parents.aspx) and [supporting someone with an eating disorder](https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/teengirls/Pages/treatmentforeatingdisorders.aspx). So that's when I was diagnosed with an eating disorder, I suppose." An eating disorder is a mental health condition where you use the control of food to cope with feelings and other situations. "I felt like I got everything wrong and that is how I felt. "Anything that I used to do to manage or cope, which wasn't helpful, I've not done for three, three and a half years," Leanne told Christine. Viewers heard many of the women had struggled to receive an accurate diagnosis for their conditions and, when they finally did, they felt it was a "lightbulb moment" and things in their life suddenly made sense. The 24-year-old went on to explain how she had been "sectioned" at just 18 for several months and diagnosed with a personality disorder. It was only when she was hospitalised from the medication she had been put on that she and her mother begged for her consultant to look into an ASD [Autism Spectrum Disorder] diagnosis - which took 18 months, but finally came. My meltdowns used to be quite harmful towards myself and that's how I managed it." Christine McGuinness's new documentary Unmasking My Autism has been praised by viewers for shedding light on the challenges facing women with autism and drawing attention to the way many young girls "mask" having the disorder.

Christine McGuinness has revealed that she never ate a single school meal and suffered from an eating disorder since a young age.

It was just the worst place for me to go. Christine continued: ‘From age 11, I didn’t eat at all. [Christine McGuinness heartbreakingly opens up about facing sexual abuse as a teenager](https://metro.co.uk/2023/03/15/christine-mcguinness-shares-past-of-sexual-abuse-in-unmasking-my-autism-18451133/?ico=more_text_links) [Paddy helped her ‘gently’ change her ](https://metro.co.uk/2018/02/13/inside-christine-mcguinnesss-heartache-eating-disorder-battle-twins-autism-diagnosis-7309055/)eating habits when the couple moved in together, and she has slowly been recovering since. [Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism](https://metro.co.uk/2023/03/06/autism-made-me-stick-with-paddy-says-christine-mcguinness-18389815/), in which she traces the link between her condition, her childhood eating disorder, [teenage sexual abuse](https://metro.co.uk/2023/03/15/christine-mcguinness-shares-past-of-sexual-abuse-in-unmasking-my-autism-18451133/) and her marriage to Top Gear presenter [Paddy McGuinness](https://metro.co.uk/tag/paddy-mcguinness/?ico=auto_link_entertainment_P2_LNK1). [Christine McGuinness](https://metro.co.uk/tag/christine-mcguinness/?ico=auto_link_entertainment_P1_LNK1) has revealed that she never ate a single school meal and suffered from an eating disorder since a young age.

Christine McGuinness has opened up on the reason she split with ex-husband Paddy McGuinness as she reflected on her dating future.

"This was not an easy decision to make but we're moving forward as the best parents we can be for our three beautiful children. I used to pray every night that I wouldn't wake up in the morning because it was so awful. Although we work in the public eye we ask kindly if you could respect our wishes for privacy on this matter. I was only 19 when I met Patrick and for the last 15 years my role has been wife and mum. But I'm going into a new chapter on my own which is petrifying for someone who doesn't like change." She said: "Starting life on my own is scary, I struggle making decisions.

Christine McGuinness became emotional as she discussed her and ex-husband Paddy's split, saying she finds it 'petrifying' to start a 'new chapter' on her ...

I used to pray every night that I wouldn't wake up in the morning because it was so awful. 'This was not an easy decision to make but we're moving forward as the best parents we can be for our three beautiful children. 'I have realised the power of pretending, when I was dressed up as a princess doing pageants. I was only 19 when I met Patrick and for the last 15 years my role has been wife and mum. But I'm going into a new chapter on my own which is petrifying for someone who doesn't like change.' She said: 'Starting life on my own is scary, I struggle making decisions.

Paddy McGuinness has taken to Instagram to share a sweet message for ex Christine McGuinness, as the former Real Housewives of Cheshire star's new BBC ...

We can sit and have a cup of tea together and that's fine." I like things to stay the same. "As an autistic woman, I like to stay where I am comfortable. And that’s why I stayed married. "A while ago we took the difficult decision to separate but our main focus was as always is to continue loving and supporting our children. And so that’s something I suppose I chose to do... [OK!:](https://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/christine-mcguinness-christmas-paddy-exclusive-28750246) "I'm quite happy for him to be there with the children and it's nice for them to see Mummy and Daddy just being alright. [Women's Own](https://comps.womansownmagazine.co.uk/) about the couple's living situation, the model said: "The children don’t know any different and they’re growing up in a happy and loving home – I just want it to continue like that. [#unmaskingmyautism](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/unmaskingmyautism/) [#awareness](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/awareness/) [#acceptence](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/acceptence/)." Reflecting on what she discovered in her documentary about autism, the model said: "I felt like I said in the film I didn’t want my family to ever fall apart. [stayed with Paddy](https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/christine-mcguiness-explains-stayed-paddy-29380494) despite being unhappy, saying she didn't want her family to "fall apart". [due to the abuse.](https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/christine-mcguinness-prayed-wouldnt-wake-29380260)

Christine McGuinness and her ex husband Paddy announced their split in July last year after 11 years of marriage.

#unmaskingmyautism #awareness #acceptence." It’s changed everything." "Sorry I don’t want to get upset," she said as she wiped away her tears, continuing: “I know that I’ve stayed in a place where I was probably unhappy because it was safe and I don’t like change and ultimately I wanted to keep my family together.”

In the BBC One programme, Christine uncovers a world of autistic women and girls and speaks honestly about her marriage to the Top Gear presenter.

“My son was in a school for children with special educational needs for many years. Ahead of the documentary’s release, she said: “I didn’t want my family to ever fall apart and that’s why I stayed married. I know many people here have gone through similar as a child/parent.

This came after she split from her husband Paddy last year. The couple share three children together - who are also autistic - and they continue to co-parent.

The courage to unmask and offer a first hand insight into some of the struggles & challenges she faces is inspiring. Viewers of the documentary took to social media with lovely messages for Christine and about the programme, the [Blackpool](https://www.lancs.live/all-about/blackpool), visit a support group of autistic women to share her experiences with them. Someone else added: "This young girl has been put through the f***ing ringer!! One member of the group asked: "Sorry you feel more able to have left after your diagnosis?" #UnmaskingMyAutism" Another added: "Watching this right now.

The media personality bravely opened up about the couple's split in her new documentary about her autism diagnosis in her 30s. Christine and Paddy, who share ...

#unmaskingmyautism #awareness #acceptence." [being a single mum "petrifies" her.](https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/christine-mcguinness-says-shes-not-29380238) [Very proud of Christine](https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/proud-paddy-mcguinness-shares-sweet-29470500) for making this new documentary highlighting Autism, particularly in women," he wrote. [The Real Housewives of Cheshire](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/real-housewives-of-cheshire) star said it was her "mission" to reinvent herself as she "sheds" her old self. [figure out who I was, because I’ve played that many different roles](https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/christine-mcguinness-says-pretending-someone-29010690) in life and not really knowing which part of it was actually me, or who or which one was mostly me. [Christine McGuinness](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/christine-mcguinness) was in floods of tears as she revealed why she split from her husband [Paddy](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/paddy-mcguinness), ending 11 years of marriage.