CHRISTINE McGuinness has revealed she was a reclusive for eight years and would only leave her home in the middle of the night to avoid being seen.
The model, 36 – who split with husband Paddy, 50, in 2022 – has spoken openly about her diagnosis of autism like her three children and suffering with ADHD.
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Yet after signing up for the new series of BBC show The Pilgrimage she has opened up further on her state of mind and emotional battles.
Christine said: “I barely left the house for about eight years, and I would only go to the supermarket around 1am, 2am in the morning when it was quiet.
“I’d say no to anything because I was comfortable in my bubble at home.
“I wasn’t unhappy, but I think I was just existing.
READ CHRISTINE MCGUINNESS
“I don’t think I was fully living. That’s what I’ve learned from [BBC Two’s The Pilgrimage], that I want to live this life that I’ve got.”
Sad split
Christine previously told how she won’t get married again and is “terrified” of dating after she opened up on her love life post-Paddy.
The pair still live together in their lavish Cheshire home for the sake of their trio of children.
In a separate interview for a BBC show she told how she “can’t imagine” life with anyone but the northern comedian.
Christine McGuinness strips to colourful bikini as she hula-hoops in garden of £2m mansion
What is autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an incurable, lifelong developmental condition that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others.
It affects around one in 100 people in the UK and is three to four times more common in boys than in girls.
Many people with ASD find it hard to understand other people’s feelings and emotions, and they may have difficulty holding conversations.
When they are young, their language development may take longer and they can struggle to use facial expressions, using gestures to communicate instead.
They may also find it hard to connect with other people and to hold eye contact with unfamiliar individuals.
Many children with ASD like to follow a routine, and changes to this can cause distress.
High functioning autism is an informal term some people use to describe those on the autism spectrum disorder.
The campaigner broke her silence on their painful break up on ITV show Loose Women.
In her Autism and Me documentary she told the camera: “Our marriage – now that was major.
“I have been with my husband since I was 19.”
She added: “I can’t imagine life with anyone else.
“I don’t know what it’s like to date, I can’t remember being single.”
Happy Chapter
Yet in a happier moment this week, Christine celebrated a new chapter as she posed completely naked to mark her birthday.
Writing alongside a series of images from a photoshoot with The Sun’s Fabulous Magazine she said: “Year 35 you were incredible.
“Some of my highlights from last season, I climbed a mountain, I went on a dream holiday with my mum and my babies.
“My dad got better, I wrote another book, launched my own products in the stores over the UK and brought out my own clothing brand.”
She added: “I won a diversity award and a Guinness world record and so much more that I can’t share yet.
“I have loved 35 and I’m even more excited about this next season. Feeling more comfortable in my own skin, being more myself and definitely doing more of what I loved.”
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