Christine McGuinness 'stunned' Celebs Go Dating bosses by quitting the show hours after 'flirting with a bikini-clad contestant' at an Ibiza pool party.
Pals close to the mother-of-three, 37, believe she may have left the programme over 'fears' of upsetting ex-husband Paddy, 51, by discussing their recent divorce on TV.
According to insiders, the model, who split from the former Top Gear host in 2022, had been 'enjoying' filming and going on dates after flying to the White Isle this week.
On Wednesday, she got stuck in at the show's Ibiza pool party, which was attended by Celebs Go Dating alumni and surprise guests Wayne Lineker and Dean Gaffney.
Christine wore a multicoloured two-piece and was happily flirting with some of the female contestants including a 'stunning model wearing a hot pink bikini.'
The reality star had even been revealing more about her 'type', explaining that she likes 'feminine women with an edge', having taken part in the show's 'mixer', where celebrities meet the contestants for the first time.
Christine McGuinness 'stunned' Celebs Go Dating bosses by quitting the show hours after 'flirting with a bikini-clad contestant' at an Ibiza pool party
Pals close to the mother-of-three believe she may have left the programme over 'fears' of upsetting ex-husband Paddy by discussing their recent divorce on TV
According to insiders, the model, who split from former Top Gear host Paddy in 2022, had been 'enjoying filming' and going on dates after flying to Ibiza this week
However, Christine suddenly quit the series on Thursday night, with insiders saying she had become anxious over her private life, including feelings surrounding her divorce, being made public.
A source said: 'Christine was really up for this show and discovering more about herself with the help of the relationship experts.
'She settled in really well in Ibiza and treated it like a bit of a holiday.
'Hours before she pulled out of the series, she was having so much fun at one of the show's pool parties, chatting away to former contestants Wayne and Dean.
'She had even struck up a flirtatious relationship with one of the contestants, who she flew to Ibiza as part of the dating series, and was finally opening up about her feelings towards women.
'But all of a sudden her mood changed and she began to have real doubts over her appearance, especially with how she may be upsetting Paddy by discussing their divorce on a TV show.
'It's a real shame but she just wasn't in the right frame of mind to take part and it was best for all concerned for her to leave the process.'
Following Christine's shock departure, E4 bosses approached Celebrity Big Brother star Chris Hughes to fill her place, but he has since turned down the opportunity.
MailOnline has approached Christine and Paddy's representatives for comment.
Exes Christine and Paddy, pictured at the National Television Awards in 2019, were married for 11 years and share twins Leo and Penelope and daughter Felicity together
Christine released a statement on Instagram on Thursday night confirming her departure from the E4 show just two weeks after she started filming
The reality star attended the show's Ibiza pool party just hours before she opted to leave the process and wore a multicoloured crochet two-piece for the glamorous event
Christine, who was open to dating men and women on the programme, had been flirting with a contestant wearing a hot pink bikini at the pool party
Christine released a statement last night, claiming 'dating on a public platform and the attention that it brings is just too soon for me.'
The former Housewives of Cheshire star also said E4 bosses have 'left the door open for me', hinting at a possible return in future series.
Show insiders also told MailOnline producers were concerned about what detail they would be allowed to use regarding Christine's thoughts on her marriage break up given the conditions of her divorce from Paddy.
The insider added: 'Production had discussed potential issues with Christine's signing regarding what she can and cannot say. It was already causing headaches.
'But the team were truly shocked by her departure because she had been really bonding and making close friendships with her co-stars.'
Christine and Paddy, who share three children, twins Leo and Penelope, and daughter Felicity, who have all been diagnosed with autism, split in 2022 after 11 years of marriage.
The exes finalised their divorce out of court last summer.
Last month, MailOnline revealed Paddy had put their £6.5million Cheshire house up for sale.
The former Housewives of Cheshire star said E4 bosses have 'left the door open for me', hinting at a possible return in future series
She starred on the show alongside former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona, S Club 7's Jon Lee, Love Island contestant Olivia Hawkins and Too Hot to Handle hunk Louis Russell
The pair had carried on living at their marital home post divorce, but Christine had reportedly grown increasingly tired of cohabiting with Paddy, who was happy for the arrangement to continue.
Speaking about their split, Christine said: 'I've never spoken about the reasons for our divorce, and I don't know if I ever will.
'It was a difficult time. It wasn't something that, you know, I just decided to do overnight, or that we chose to do.
'We tried, and, yeah, there just, unfortunately, there was no repairing it, you know?'
Discussing her appearance on the show before deciding to quit, the TV personality admitted that she hasn't 'dated much before' so this will be a new experience for her.
She said: 'I'm really excited to be joining the agency, I'm going to have a summer of fun. Who knows what might happen? I've not really dated much before, so I feel like I'm doing a crash course.
'I'm looking forward to getting to know the other celebs and I'm especially looking forward to the coaching side of things with the agents. I think that's going to be good for me.'
Christine was set to date both men and women, having become attracted to the opposite sex following her close relationship with singer Chelcee Grimes, whom she was spotted kissing in the wake of her split from Paddy.
