Paddy McGuinness' life off-screen including marriage split with Christine McGuinness
Paddy McGuinness, a popular TV star and actor, has been appearing on our televisions for more than twenty years. He is best known for hosting Take Me Out and presenting Top Gear, but has also featured in the comedy series That Peter Kay Thing and sitcoms like Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere.
He started working as a TV host on shows like Take Me Out, 71 Degrees North, Paddy's TV Guide, I Can See Your Voice, and the revamped Question of Sport. Paddy McGuinness will appear on Who Do You Think You Are, where he learns that his ancestors were Irish and lived near the family of US President Joe Biden.
The man, who is 51 years old, traveled to Ireland and said he felt a strong bond with the country. However, he confessed to feeling uninformed during his trips because he doesn't know much about his family history. But what other details can we learn about his life?
Take a peek into his professional journey, path to stardom, union with Christine McGuinness, and eventual split.
The Beginnings Of Paddy McGuinness' TV Career
Paddy McGuinness was emotional as he shared a heartfelt message after announcing that his father passed away from colon cancer. -Source: Channel 4
Patrick Joseph McGuinness was born on August 14, 1973, in Farnworth, Lancashire. He has Irish parents. Paddy met Peter Kay, a comedian from Bolton, during their school days in Farnworth. Their friendship led to the creation of some of the most iconic shows on British TV.
Paddy quit school at 16 and started working on a construction site, which was very different from the glamour of TV. He first got a taste of television in 1995 when he participated in a few dating shows as a contestant.
After making some small appearances on TV, Paddy's big break came when he landed the role of bouncer Paddy on Peter Kay's popular show Phoenix Nights. This opportunity catapulted him to stardom.
He was such a big fan of the character that he came back for the spin-off show Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere.
Christine McGuinness And The End Of Marriage
Celebrity pair Paddy and Christine McGuinness seen together before they split up -Image source: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Paddy and model Christine Martin tied the knot on June 4, 2011 after dating for many years. They now have three kids - Penelope, Felicity, and Leo, and recently moved into a new, modern house in Cheshire in 2020.
But in 2021, the couple made a surprise announcement that they were breaking up, and they shared a statement together saying, "Some time ago we made the hard choice to split up, but our main priority, as always, is to continue loving and supporting our children."
They stated, "This choice was tough, but we are committed to being the best parents we can for our three kids. We will continue to love and support each other as a family, maintaining a positive relationship while living under the same roof."
Even though Paddy and Christine have separated, they still live together and have a friendly relationship. Paddy has mentioned that they might get back together in the future.
During an honest conversation, Paddy McGuinness shared openly: "Our home is free from negativity, which says a lot. Even though we have our own bedrooms since we are no longer a couple, we still have a strong and loving family dynamic in our household. Whether we reconcile or not, we cherish the love we have for each other."
Paddy McGuiness's Off-Screen Life
Famous TV host and actor Paddy McGuinness is well known for his work on shows like Take Me Out, Phoenix Nights, and Top Gear.
The host of Take Me Out is believed to be unattached and is prioritizing being a parent over dating. Paddy, who is proud of his roots in Bolton, cheers for his hometown team, Bolton Wanderers.
The ex-Top Gear presenter and comedian intends to incorporate his breakup experience into his upcoming show, Paddy McGuinness: Work In Progress Warm Up Shows. He will be traveling around the UK throughout this year and into 2025, kicking things off in September at BBC Radio 2 In The Park.
Talking about his upcoming tour on Tony Bellew's Club Bellew podcast, the 51-year-old mentioned that it will be a unique experience compared to his previous tours. He revealed that he intends to touch on topics that he has never discussed before during his shows, such as his personal experience of raising children with autism.
"I am no longer married, so that will be a factor," he added. Paddy has scheduled 40 performances between 2024 and 2025, with a significant show at the Palladium in London.
He said: "It's been eight years since my last tour and there are many funny things to talk about. I can't wait to perform in front of a live audience again, despite facing challenges like cancel culture, clickbait, and misinformation."
What Else Is Paddy McGuinness Known For?
Paddy McGuinness rose to stardom thanks to his charming role as the presenter of the hit dating program Take Me Out. He became famous for his quick and catchy phrases such as "If you don't like it, you can switch off the light" and "Show us what you've got."
Paddy entertained viewers by incorporating classic movies in The Keith And Paddy Picture Show, and also served as the host of tribute show Even Better Than The Real Thing and musical game show I Can See Your Voice.
His delightful personality landed him a role as a host on Top Gear, teaming up with Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris, until they had to halt production in 2023 due to Flintoff's terrible injury while filming.
McGuinness briefly hosted Question of Sport from 2021 to 2023 and also presented the Channel 4 game show Tempting Fortune. He has participated in several celebrity specials like Don't Look Down, Comic Relief's Red Nose Day, and The Great Celebrity Bake Off: Stand Up To Cancer. Additionally, he has shown his athletic skills in Soccer Aid matches.