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Christine and Paddy McGuinness celebrate being able to put up Christmas tree at home for first time in years

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22:  Paddy McGuinness (L) and Christine McGuinness attend the National Television Awards held at The O2 Arena on January 22, 2019 in London, England.  (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Paddy McGuinness and Christine McGuinness have twins with autism and a third child showing signs of being on the autism spectrum (Getty Images)

Christine McGuinness revealed she is “the proudest mummy” after her children were able to feel comfortable with a Christmas tree in their family home.

The former beauty queen and her husband, Top Gear’s Paddy McGuinness are parents to six-year-old twins Leo and Penelope, who are autistic, and Felicity, three, who Christine has said has displayed signs of being on the autism spectrum.

Christine, 31, shared on Instagram: “I am the proudest mummy, I can’t believe my babies are happy around our Christmas tree.”

Read more: Christine McGuinness speaks out after disabled parking bay row

She explained: “Christmas is always a very difficult time of year for us, our children can get overwhelmed, upset with all the changes everywhere, the lack of school routine, they get overstimulated and anxious meaning daily meltdowns are a given.

“This year I am preparing more than ever, visiting Christmas displays as much as possible (even if we only last 5 minutes) .. choosing decorations for our tree together, using visual calendars, reading stories about Christmas, even watching Peppa Pig’s Christmas on repeat.

“So far they are coping amazing and we have managed to put a tree up at home without any upset for the first time in years!. Now, somehow I just need to keep this whole calm, prep, structured Christmas feel around for the next 2 weeks!”

Paddy McGuinness, left, and wife Christine Martin seen arriving at the BRIT Awards 2013 at the o2 Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in London. (Photo by John Marshall/Invision/AP)
Paddy McGuinness and wife Christine in 2013 (AP)

The couple recently spoke out about the challenges of parenting children with autism after Paddy, 46, was challenged by a stranger for using a disabled parking space outside a soft-play centre.

Read more: Christine McGuinness opens up about four year pregnancy struggle following anorexia battle

Paddy fumed on Twitter: “I took a deep breath and sent my children in. Luckily they didn’t understand what was going on? Once they’d happily gone in I approached this ignorant tool. All I warned to do was bounce him off every car but there would only be one loser in that, me!”

He added: “I’m so glad I took that deep breath and handled the situation calmly. I feel better for it and hopefully that ignorant person might think twice next time or indeed learn that all disabilities are different.”