Paddy McGuinness has admitted he feels like the ‘odd one out’ in his family home because he’s the only one who doesn’t have autism.
The comedian, 51, and former model, Christine divorced last year after 11 years of marriage following their shock split in 2022, but the former couple still live together with their children.
The pair share twins, Leo and Penelope, 12, along with nine-year-old, daughter, Felicity, and all three children have been diagnosed with autism – as has Christine.
Paddy has now confessed that he feels like the the odd one out in his home as he is the only one without the diagnosis, and he even thinks the family cat is on the spectrum.
Speaking on The Tommy Tiernan Show, Paddy was asked whether it was strange to have three autistic children, to which he responded: ‘No, not now. Every child with autism is different. I think for me – strange isn’t the right word.
‘As a bloke when you’re younger, you think about the future and you think about one day getting married and having kids, and you go right, I’ll go to football with my son, I’ll take my daughter horse riding – all the stereotypical things – when that doesn’t happen, that’s where it’s like, hang on, this isn’t what I thought parenthood was, so for me, it was that.’
Paddy McGuinness has admitted he feels like the ‘odd one out’ in his family home because he’s the only one who doesn’t have autism (Seen in January)
The comedian, 51, and former model, Christine divorced last year after 11 years of marriage following their shock split in 2022 (Seen in 2019)
Reflecting on some of the challenges fatherhood has brought him, the TV star explained: ‘I remember stopping on the motorway services with the kids once. I needed a pee, and I took my son with me, and someone in there put on a hand dryer, and that was it – complete meltdown, because of the loudness, so things like that.
‘You learn as you go along – what will trigger someone and what won’t trigger someone. It took me a good couple of years of figuring all that out, because you love these people more than anything on earth, and you almost want to make everything as easy as possible for them, but life’s not like that.
‘For instance, my little son now, he can go in a bathroom now, and if someone puts a hand dryer on, it’s not a problem.
‘I don’t think it’s his favourite thing of all, but he wouldn’t bat an eyelid, so it’s about working through those things, so for me it’s just dealing with what I thought being a dad would be, to what my version of being a dad is.’
Paddy went on to share his concerns about his children’s future and his worries over them being taken advantage of.
‘I think every parent it’s natural to have a concern for their children,’ he said.
‘For us, it’s more, I always worry about not being around for them, especially with the autism, because there’s vulnerability there, and there’s a lot of wrong ‘uns in the world.
‘If you just think about anyone doing anything to your child, it’s enough to make your blood boil anyhow, but when someone does something because they are so lovely and pure and innocent, so those are the worries, but you just can’t live your life like that.
The pair share twins, Leo and Penelope, 12, along with nine-year-old, daughter, Felicity, and all three children have been diagnosed with autism – as has Christine
Paddy has now confessed that he feels like the the odd one out in his home as he is the only one without the diagnosis, and he even thinks the family cat is on the spectrum (Seen in 2022)
Speaking on The Tommy Tiernan Show, Paddy was asked whether it was strange to have three autistic children, to which he responded: ‘No, not now. Every child with autism is different’
‘You’ve just kind of get on with it, and set them up as best as you can.’
But Paddy gushed over the close relationship he has with his children and the love they show him.
He said: ‘The other side of it, my God, so much happiness – so much love. My eldest Leo and Penelope are 12, and they’re at big school now, and last night I was putting my son to bed – kissing him and cuddling, and reading a book together, and stroking his back.
‘He likes me tickling his back, and you think, my God, this is just lovely – it’s just the best thing ever.
‘I still get a lot out of being a parent, it’s just I’ve got to tackle being a parent in a slightly different way.’
Paddy’s ex-wife Christine, 37, received her autism diagnosis later in life, around five years ago.
‘My ex-wife is diagnosed with autism as well, but all this came apparent after, so I was like the odd one out in our house,’ Paddy added.
And he even suspects the family pet has autism.
‘I think the cat is on the spectrum, so it’s just me,’ he said. ‘So, I sort of live in this household, and I support everyone.’
Christine announced last week that she had quit Celebs Go Dating, during filming in Ibiza.
After returning to the UK, Christine has now addressed quitting the reality show for the first time as she penned: ‘As much as I LOVE Ibiza – flying home early to my babies and all the love and cuddles I could ever wish for has filled my heart’.
The reality star, who was set to date both men and women on the show, had been revealing more about her ‘type’, explaining that she likes ‘feminine women with an edge’ at the show’s ‘mixer’, where celebrities met the contestants for the first time.
Paddy’s ex-wife Christine, 37, received her autism diagnosis later in life, around five years ago
However, Christine then suddenly quit the series, 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.’
In her statement, she confirmed: ‘I joined Celebs Go Dating with great intentions but have realised that dating on a public platform and the attention is brings is just too soon for me.’
Christine also said that she may appear in the future, adding: ‘They’ve said the door is always open for me which I’m so grateful but for now I’m returning home to my family.’
