CHRISTINE McGuinness has opened up about her relationship with ex Paddy - and the affect joining Celebs Go Dating had on her.
Mum-of-three Christine spoke to Amy Hart's Mum's Club podcast and revealed: "I thought that going on Celebs Go Dating I would be fine. I'm ready to date. I'm completely ready to date.
"I've been separated from my ex husband for three years. We get on really well.
"We still live at home together, but of course, I want some adult company. I can't just sit and be with children all day, every day.
"I like that time out - being away from home when I'm working - but I haven't got that time out being away from home not working and just enjoying some adult company.
"I haven't had that, so I got the opportunity and thought, You know what? Why not? I understand myself, so I'll be fine.
"I'll manage it and it was just a step too far."
The Real Housewives of Cheshire alum continued: "I found it quite overwhelming, so I listened to myself and I'm really, really proud that I recognised how I felt...
"I went home to my children after two weeks. I was supposed to do 10 weeks of filming - and I'd done two weeks - and I'm really, really proud of myself that I did what was right for me."
She added: "If something doesn't feel right for you, physically, mentally, emotionally, it's okay to leave.
"That's something I tell my children quite a lot, because being autistic, you can stay and do what other people want you to do.
"I think it's really, really important to know that you can leave the party, you can leave the job, leave the event, you can leave the relationship at any time."
Paddy and Christine announced they had separated in 2022 after 15 years together.
The pair still live together for the sake of their children, despite the split.
Christine spoke out about her sexuality for the first time recently, revealing she has dated both sexes since she was a teen.
The Sun revealed her fling with a leading soap actress earlier this month.
Their encounter came in 2023, the year after Christine split from her ex-Top Gear host husband, Paddy McGuinness, 51.
The well-known actress, whom we are not naming, has previously been in relationships with men.
Months after their marriage ended, Christine was pictured kissing singer Chelcee Grimes, 33.
It has been revealed how Christine got "incredibly close" to footballer Chelcee before splitting from husband Paddy, 51.
Yet the songwriter's recent fallout with pal Christine recently came to light, with the real reason for the pair's toxic spat revealed.
The former couple have since disconnected on social media.
Paddy and Christine first met through a mutual friend in 2007, when she was 19 and he was 33.
In 2020, she was diagnosed with autism and ADHD after spending the majority of her life confused as to why she acted differently from everyone else growing up.
Since then, the TV star has been raising awareness for it through interviews, television shows and public speaking.
