I have no romance goals whatsoever'

Reality star Christine McGuinness on being autistic, successful co-parenting and why love is strictly off-limits

-  MITYA UNDERWOOD

Christine McGuinness has a newfound glow- and why not? She has three happy children, is successfully navigating the often tricky road of co-parenting after separation, is in demand when it comes to TV work and let's just say it, the stunning model has never looked better.

Life over the past few years has changed dramatically for Christine, 36, with her autism diagnosis, a very public split from comedian Paddy McGuinness, and a move into the world of TV documentaries. But as each year passes, her confidence seems to grow - as does her public profile and with it, the attention that brings, which can't always be easy.

"I'm extremely lucky," she says during our exclusive chat. "Of course, it's difficult when it feels like everyone, the cat and the dog have an opinion about your life. But overall, grateful is where I'm at."

Christine, who was born in Blackpool but grew up in Liverpool, discovered four years ago that she was on the autism spectrum, like her and Paddy's three children - twins Leo and Penelope, 11, and Felicity, eight.

By that time, she had become a name on The Real Housewives Of Cheshire, so her autism was headline news and she's been incredibly candid about her condition in documentaries such as the BBC's Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism.

Her social media, however, is a different kettle of fish and Christine can forgive anyone for thinking "she must be fine, she's always happy and smiling" as they scroll through her glamorous grid of red-carpet events and fashion shoots.

But being more authentic on socials is something she'd like to do, she says, but slowly and only as people learn to be "a bit more open-minded and kinder".

"People will watch a TV show, see the real me and understand. But with social media, everyone holds back a little more," she muses.