Tanned, glowing and giddy, Christine McGuinness could barely stop smiling as she arrived alone at the Peninsula London hotel looking incredible in a plunging pink corset and mini skirt yesterday evening.
The former model and mother of three ensured all eyes were on her as the last guest to arrive at a lavish dinner to celebrate the relaunch of tanning brand Skin and Tan, formerly Skinny Tan.
But it was perhaps the last thing Paddy McGuinness would want to see, as his ex-wifeâs dramatic entrance came just days after she claimed to be a âfive-star lesbianâ and rumours have been swirling of a budding romance with former Olympic boxer and Strictly star Nicola Adams.
Christine relished telling us about her plans for a wild summer now that sheâs no longer tied to former Top Gear host Paddy, who friends say âbadly dulled her shineâ.
Flashing a cheeky smile, she told the Daily Mail, âIâd like to stay out of troubleâ and âenjoy the summerâ.
âNow the kids are older, I can get out more to events and want to get away as much as possible, and Iâve got some fun trips planned this year,â she added. âIâm just having fun and enjoying myself.â
Although she was happy to hint at her plans for a carefree summer, Christine is not yet ready to publicly confirm the rumours about her alleged budding romance.
Yet it was certainly clear something was keeping her smiling that evening, sharing a three-course meal, glass of wine and, of course, a gossip session with celeb pals, Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan and This Morningâs Ashley James.

Christine McGuinness ensured all eyes were on her as the last guest to arrive at a lavish dinner to celebrate the relaunch of tanning brand Skin and Tan yesterday

Beaming, Christine relished telling us about her plans for a wild summer now that sheâs no longer tied to her ex-husband

Christine claimed to be a âfive-star lesbianâ, with rumours swirling of a budding romance with former boxer and Strictly star Nicola Adams, pictured
One onlooker, who noticed Christineâs âplayfulâ mood, said: âShe was really carefree, taking pictures and enjoying the meal. Someone is clearly making her happy and she was excited to debrief with the girls at dinner.
âSheâs aware everyone wants to know the gossip about her new relationship, but for now she is keeping her cards close to her chest.â
While Christine is clearly enjoying life after their separation in 2022 following 11 years of marriage, sources close to Paddy say heâs âjealousâ of Christineâs busy social life.
Our source tells us: âSeeing your ex-wife all over the papers and online, talking gleefully about being a happy lesbian, is enough to enrage most men.
âHe has always been the one with a social life, not Christine. Sheâs been at home with the kids. Christineâs friends find her new lease of life brilliant and all the more funny because Paddy will be fuming.â
After years of staying out of the spotlight as a stay-at-home mum, Christine, a former model and beauty queen, has embraced a busier life as a single woman.
But it hasnât been without its challenges. Although they separated four years ago, Christine, 38, and Paddy, 52, still share a diary to co-parent their twins Leo and Penelope, aged 13, and daughter Felicity, 10.
Sources close to the family tell us Paddy constantly blocks out the diary with his commitments, causing tensions between the pair.
Although she hasnât confirmed any romance with boxer Nicola, Christine has been open about her sexuality, sex life and new-found love of âJapanese bondageâ.
Nicola, however, heavily alluded to the pairâs rumoured romance on Monday as she shared a video declaring she was âcrazyâ about someone on Instagram. The clip saw her dancing with her eyes closed, edited alongside a clip of actor Evan Peters doing the same dance in Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

Paddy and Christine McGuinness in 2017 before their split. Sources close to Paddy say heâs now âjealousâ of Christineâs busy social life and finds it âhumiliatingâ
Along with the video, Nicola wrote: âThem: âYouâre not that crazy about that womanââ, while writing in the caption: âWho me? #wlwâ [women-loving-women].
Rumours about the pairâs romantic involvement were sparked after they attended the DIVA Awards, a celebration of the achievements of LGBT women at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in London last month.
Nicola, an undefeated former professional boxer, split from her partner last year â model and influencer Ella Baig, 28 â with whom she had a son, Taylor Nate, by IVF in July 2022.
A source close to Christine tells us: âSpeaking more openly and publicly about her sexuality is like a weight lifted off her shoulders, and she can finally be herself.â
But showbusiness insiders tell us that Paddy is not happy about Christineâs willingness to publicly discuss her dating life.
Last year, just three days after arriving in Ibiza for the start of filming Celebs Go Dating, Christine announced she was quitting the show.
At the time her friends said Paddy played a large role in influencing her to step away, with rumours that they have a water-tight NDA not to discuss their marriage publicly.
One of Christineâs fiercely loyal friends said: âCan you imagine if Christine went on a date with a woman? He would be furious! He would be mortified and ripped apart by his silly friends. Then thereâs the matter of him not wanting Christine to talk about their marriage in any detail.â
With Christine immersing herself in showbusiness circles after the divorce, Paddy is instead opting for a quieter life, hoping to concentrate on his presenting career.
Committed to the job, he has undergone something of a transformation himself. Recently, heâs been on the cover of Menâs Health, showing off his new biceps and abs, a stark contrast from his former âdad bodâ.
One friend of Christineâs said: âYou canât help but wonder if this was Paddyâs attempt to go up against Christine when it comes to who gets the most publicity. He has no control over Christine any more which must be very difficult for him because he always ruled the roost.â
As Christine plans a summer of fun-filled lavish holidays and work opportunities, will Paddy try to steal her new found spotlight?
Whether itâs a season of romance, or more star-studded events, thereâs hope from her friends that Christine can continue to live her best life.



