Despite their divorce being finalised years ago, TV star Paddy McGuinness and his ex-wife Christine are still living together in their sprawling Cheshire mansion — and insiders say the real reason has little to do with family harmony.
The former couple, who split in 2022 after more than a decade of marriage, continue to share the same £6.5million home even though it has been on the market for a full year.
While they have previously said the arrangement helps them co-parent their three children — twins Leo and Penelope, 12, and nine-year-old Felicity — all of whom are on the autism spectrum, sources claim the real issue is far more financial.
According to an insider, Paddy is refusing to lower the asking price of the luxury property, despite the fact that it has attracted only a handful of viewings since being listed.
The huge seven-bedroom mansion, which the couple purchased for £2.1million in 2020, boasts an impressive array of features including a gym, his-and-hers dressing rooms, an orangery, a swimming pool and even a dedicated indoor soft-play area for the children.
But despite the lavish amenities, the house has struggled to find a buyer — partly because there are several similar “footballer-style” mansions currently sitting unsold across the Cheshire area.
Adding to the challenge, another property on the same upmarket street is reportedly listed for £1.5million less than Paddy’s home.
A source revealed that the presenter is still holding out for a wealthy Premier League footballer to snap up the property and deliver a huge payday.
The insider said Paddy believes someone will eventually come along and buy the house and is “hanging on for a footballer with cash to burn so they can tot up a monster profit.”
They added that the situation is far from ideal, especially as comparable homes nearby have remained unsold for years, suggesting the market for such mega-mansions is currently sluggish.
The source insisted Paddy may ultimately have to accept reality. “He really needs to bite the bullet and drop the price tag,” they said.
For now, however, the former couple remain under the same roof — a living arrangement that Christine is reportedly eager to change.
While Paddy has insisted their unusual setup “doesn’t feel tricky,” Christine previously explained that they live very separate lives within the house.
She revealed they stay on different floors and maintain completely separate spaces.
Christine said that her bedroom and dressing room serve as her personal retreat inside the vast property, describing it as “my little haven.”
The pair first met in 2007 through mutual friends when Christine was just 19 and Paddy was 33. They later married at Thornton Manor Estate in Merseyside in June 2011.
Although their relationship ultimately ended in divorce, they continue to share the Prestbury mansion while raising their children together.
Meanwhile, Christine has also begun cautiously exploring life after the marriage.
Just days ago, she opened up about a new “situationship” in her life, explaining that she is being careful not to repeat past emotional patterns.
Christine said before starting the situationship she was aware that sharing too many personal experiences could create what she called a trauma bond — something she now wants to avoid.
“That’s the last bond I’d like to build with someone because it’s almost toxic,” she admitted.
She has also spoken candidly about the challenges of dating while autistic and the worries she has for her children as they grow older.
Christine explained that she often feels the need to be upfront with potential partners about her autism and the environments she feels comfortable in.
She said she sometimes finds herself explaining that she may struggle with new restaurants or busy venues, adding that it’s important for her to be honest about what she does and doesn’t enjoy.
“If it’s too lively, if it’s too busy, then the date doesn’t go well,” she said, explaining that being open helps ensure a fair chance for the relationship.
Despite trying to find love on reality show Celebs Go Dating last year, Christine dramatically quit the programme midway through filming.
At the time, she explained she realised she preferred meeting people in more natural circumstances rather than in a televised dating environment.
For now, though, the reality remains that she and Paddy are still sharing their enormous Cheshire home — even if they are living very separate lives inside it.
