Almost a year after she and ex-husband Paddy announced the breakdown of their marriage, Christine McGuinness has insisted she's still not ready to plunge into the dating pool.
Speaking to OK! at the Me, My Autism & I exhibition at the gallery@oxo in London, the mother-of-three, 33, admitted she still can't picture how life will transpire without her comedian other-half by her side.
"I was talking to my friends about it [dating] earlier and actual dating sounds awful anyway for anybody, but [especially] for an autistic person who doesn’t really like people," she admitted.
"I don’t like new places, restaurants, and I’m very particular with food, so the last thing I would want to do is go on a date. I can’t even imagine it. I’ve never really dated."
And Christine – who was diagnosed with autism in 2021 – says stories of dating disasters have potentially put her off for life.
"When I met Patrick, I met him casually and we built up a friendship before it got romantic, so something like that would probably suit me better. However, right now I’m focusing on the children and my work," she explains.
"Any free time I’ve got goes on myself because I’m exhausted. Dating doesn’t sound fun, and I’ve heard some horror stories, so I’m not planning on jumping in there."
The former couple – who share twins Leo and Penelope, nine, and daughter Felicity, six – confirmed they were splitting in July last year after 11 years of marriage, saying they’ll “always be a loving family” and “still live happily in our family home together” in a statement.
Despite calling their relationship a day almost a year ago however, Christine and Paddy have continued to live together in an attempt to bring some normality to their children's lives.
But how long can she envisage this situation lasting?
"We don’t know," Christine admits. "It’s certainly not a long-term or forever plan. It works right now because we’re both so busy and we’re in and out of the home so we tend to swap days and we’ll share. It’s much like any parent really – juggling jobs and children.
"We definitely don’t want to upset them or change anything too quickly, and for me as well. I like slow changes, and we’re alright – we’re family. I’ve known Paddy for 15 years, so I don’t know life without him. It is what it is."
OK! spoke to Christine at the Me, My Autism & I exhibition at the gallery@oxo.
Watch Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism on iPlayer and Christine McGuinness: A Beautiful Nightmare (Mirror Books, £14.99) is out now.
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