Christine McGuinness struggled to make friends as a child

Christine McGuinness struggled to make friends as a child

Christine McGuinness struggled to make friends during her childhood.

The 35-year-old TV star – who was diagnosed with autism in 2021 – has revealed in a launch video for ‘BBC Children In Need’ that she really “struggled to make friends” during her younger years.

Christine – who was married to Paddy McGuinness between 2011 and 2022 – shared: “My childhood was really fun. I remember playing outside with my brother and sister, and just being at home with my mum.

“When I was younger, I really struggled at school, I struggled to make friends to socialise, and to fit in, it was at home I always felt the most comfortable … (My) mum was always the most positive mum.

“And she always made me feel like I can just be made it comfortable … and she just loves me and she made me smile every single day…. thank you (mum) so much for being the most amazing (and) strongest person (and an) independent woman.”

Earlier this year, Christine insisted that she doesn’t want autism to “hold [her] back”.

The TV star revealed that she won’t allow the condition – which can lead to sensory issues and discomfort in social settings – to stop her from living her life.

She told OK! Magazine: “I understand myself a lot more and feel more comfortable.

“I’m not completely comfortable in my own skin yet, but I’m getting there.

“If I go to a restaurant, I’m not afraid to ask for my food to be a little bit plainer, while before I used to feel awkward and difficult about it. Now I’ll just say [what I want] because I want to be able to socialise and eat with everybody – I don’t want autism to hold me back.”