Christine McGuinness says living with ex Paddy McGuinness 'works' for them

The pair split up last summer but still share a home

Paddy McGuinness, right, and Christine McGuinness pose for photographers upon arrival at the Pride of Britain Awards on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 in London. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
Paddy McGuinness and Christine McGuinness split in 2022. (Invision/AP)

Christine McGuinness has opened up about that the fact that she and her ex Paddy McGuinness still live together, saying it “works” for them.

The pair – who have three young children together – confirmed their break up in a joint statement shared on social media last summer, saying that had decided to go their separate ways but that they “still have a great relationship and still live happily in our family home together”.

She has now told the Mirror how she and the Top Gear star are still “very close” despite their break up.

Read more: Christine McGuinness says she's 'really not fine' after Paddy split

"It is what it is but we are we are family, we are still living together,” said the star.

LONDON, -, UNITED KINGDOM - 2019/10/28: Christine McGuinness on the red carpet at The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane. (Photo by Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Christine McGuinness still lives with her ex. (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

“It's not a long term plan but for now, that really works. I think especially whilst we're both so busy, we don't want to change anything at home.

"We just keep it on a rota so that he's at home when I'm away and when’s away I’m at home and that works for us."

Christine and Paddy tied the knot in June 2011.

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 17: Paddy McGuinness poses during the Red Nose Day night of TV for Comic Relief on March 17, 2023 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Rachel Joseph/Comic Relief via Getty Images)
Paddy McGuinness has three children with Paddy McGuinness. (Comic Relief via Getty Images)

They have three children together – nine-year-old twins Leo and Penelope and seven-year-old daughter Felicity – who are all on the autistic spectrum.

In 2021, Christine was diagnosed with autism herself at the age of 33 and has said it helped her to understand herself better.

Read more: Paddy and Christine McGuinness praised for 'beautiful, honest' autism documentary

She and Paddy announced their split in July 2022, saying it wasn’t an easy decision but that they were “moving forward as the best parents we can be for our three beautiful children”.

Watch: Christine McGuinness: TV star 'trying to be a bit more myself now' after 'amazing' diagnosis of autism