‘I didn’t have a male role model’ says Paddy McGuinness as he opens up on childhood amid finalising divorce to Christine
PADDY McGuinness gets candid in tonight’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are as he opens up on his difficult childhood.
The comedian and TV presenter will be looking back over at his family history in the popular BBC series tonight.
In a first look at tonight’s episode, Paddy opens up to his uncle Tony about his feelings regarding his late father Joe ‘Patrick’ McGuinness.
Paddy speaks freely about his feelings of not having a “male role model” around whilst he was growing up.
Looking at a photo of his father, Paddy said: “So, I think my dad might have been about in his fifties when I was born.
“When I think about growing up – I loved my dad obviously but he wasn’t a dad who really took me to football or encouraged me to do anything really.
“I never had anyone like a male role model until you [Tony] came on the scene, I think.”
Paddy went on to detail how spending time with his uncle allowed him to feel a closer, more typical father-son type relationship whilst he was growing up.
The Take Me Out host continued: “Me and you became a lot closer when you got me a job at a plant machinery place.
“You encouraged me a lot with different things I think.
“I was doing my karate and you gave me your old army kit bag.”
Paddy’s rare childhood admissions come amid his ongoing divorce from his model ex Christine McGuinness.
The former couple share three children with each other but revealed they were going their separate ways two years ago.
Despite this, they have remained living together at their Cheshire home in order to co-parent their kids.
Last month, The Sun told how the pair were close to finalising their divorce without having to get court involvement.
The pair separated in July 2022 and TV star Christine, 36, had lined up “pitbull” lawyer Catherine Bedford, of Harbottle & Lewis.
The legal hotshot helped land a reported £31million payout for Ant McPartlin’s ex-wife Lisa Armstrong.
A source said: “They managed to settle the divorce out of court and have kept everything amicable.
“Their main focus is co-parenting their three kids and working on their separate telly and work projects in between.
“They have separate bedrooms and a house in Cheshire big enough for them all, so there is no need to move yet.
“But they probably will sell it down the line and get their own places.”
Paddy, 50, has been touring Europe as he records a BBC series with former Top Gear co-host Chris Harris, 49.
Meanwhile, Christine revealed this week that she was ready for romance, saying: “I know that I deserve love, and I love love, and think being around someone intimately, and laughing and enjoying adult company is an amazing, magical thing to have in your life if you’ve got it.”
Who Do You Think You Are airs tonight at 9pm on BBC One.