How Christine McGuinness grew incredibly close to female footballer before Paddy split – as she opens up on dating women
CHRISTINE McGuinness ‘grew close’ to female footballer Chelcee Grimes before her split from husband Paddy, it has been reported.
In July 2022 Christine, 37, and 51-year-old Paddy revealed they were separating after 11 years of marriage.
It was around the same time that Christine started filming for ITV show The Games, during which she first met footballer Chelcee, 33.
The Daily Mail reports that the two women quickly became close friends while competing in the competition.
A source said: “It was during the show that Christine found her independence.
“Christine clicked with Chelcee. And when just a few months later she and Paddy announced they’d split, they became closer still.”
However the publication reports that Christine and Chelcee had a falling out in September 2023, with them unfollowing each other on social media.
They claim the two women “have very little communication to this day”.
The Sun has contacted a rep for Christine and Chelcee for comment.
Christine recently confessed she’s had relationships with men and women in the past.
Speaking on the How To Fail podcast, which is released on Wednesday June 4th, Christine said: “It shouldn’t matter somebody’s gender. It never mattered to me, which was why once me and my ex-husband were separated and I met people, I didn’t properly date.
‘It was more like blurred the lines of friendships for me, that was normal.
“It felt comfortable because I’d done that as a teenager and I, as a teenager, I dated both men and women.”
Last month Christine, who shares twins Leo and Penelope, eight, and 11-year-old Felicity with Paddy, made the decision to quit Celebs Go Dating after flying to Ibiza for filming.
In a statement, Christine said: “I joined Celebs Go Dating with great intentions but have realised that dating on a public platform and the attention that brings is just too soon for me.
“They’ve said the door is always open for me, which I’m so grateful for, but for now I’m returning home to my family.”
A friend told The Sun: “A friend added: “Christine has decided that some things are important for her to keep private.
“She thought signing up to Celebs Go Dating was a good idea at first but now she feels overwhelmed by the attention.
“Christine has stepped away from the show and they have been really supportive of her and her decision.”