Farnworth-born comedian, actor and TV personality Paddy McGuinness has had his fair share of health struggles, from physical ailments to mental health challenges.
He recently addressed rumours regarding his love life following his split from Christine McGuinness.
The pair separated in 2022 after a decade and a half together. Christine is dating again – she confirmed as much during an episode of Loose women in October 2024.
But she hasn’t been too happy about the idea of Paddy doing jokes about their divorce during his standup routines. A “source” told The Sun she was “devastated” and “distraught” about becoming the butt of some of his material.
Paddy McGuinness reveals arthritis diagnosis age 44
On June 12, 2018, Paddy McGuinness, then 44 years of age, revealed that he had been diagnosed with arthritis.
“Morning! Nursing a poorly shoulder today,” he posted on Instagram, alongside a picture of him in hospital. “I had an ultra sound steroid injection in it yesterday. The reason, arthritis? I’m 44!”
Support came in thick and fast from both fans and friends. Olly Murs and former England footballer Jamie Redknapp were among those sending their well wishes.
Both played alongside Paddy in Soccer Aid to raise money for Unicef. Other participants included Robbie Williams, Usain Bolt and Eric Cantona.
Fortunately, Paddy showed no signs of illness or discomfort during the game.
Jamie wrote in the comments, “Still looking good though pal. See you Friday big man.”
Shortly after Paddy’s revelation, British charity Arthritis Research UK said it was “grateful to Paddy McGuinness for speaking out and showing other young people with arthritis that they are not alone,” per the BBC.
“People often think of arthritis as an older person’s disease. But Paddy is actually one of 11.8 million people under the age of 65 living with a musculoskeletal condition, including 2.7 million under 35 years old.”
Comedian’s role in Christine McGuinness getting checked for breast cancer
In her 2021 autobiography, Christine McGuinness shares a personal story about her fears of developing breast cancer.
A doctor diagnosed her mum Joanne with the disease in September 2020. She underwent chemotherapy and, thankfully, is currently in remission.
However, her mum’s diagnosis indicated to Christine (and Paddy) that her risk of developing the disease was higher than average.
“Having a mother, sister or daughter (first degree relative) diagnosed with breast cancer approximately doubles the risk of breast cancer,” writes Cancer Research UK on the subject.
“This risk is higher when more close relatives have breast cancer,” CRUK continues. “Or if a relative developed breast cancer under the age of 50. But most women who have a close relative with breast cancer will never develop it.
Paddy encouraged her to get tested despite fears
Christine wrote in her autobiography that the “strong risk” of inheriting the disease made her “terrified” to take a test, per Lancs Live. But Paddy insisted.
“I need to be around for my children for as long as possible and if that meant I was required to have a double mastectomy to reduce my chances of developing cancer, I was fully prepared to do it. Actually doing the test was another story. I put off having it for so long because I was terrified what the results might be.
“But it was something my husband encouraged me to do, too. He has a history of heart problems in his family and goes for regular check-ups himself. So, reluctantly, I went and got tested,” she wrote.
“It was all very easy, a simple swab test, and the results were sent to my GP. I didn’t tell my mum about it until after I got the results, as I didn’t want to put that extra worry on her. Many weeks of anguish and worry later, I got the results. It was negative. I felt so relieved.”
Paddy McGuinness’ mental health struggles
All three of Paddy and Christine McGuinness’ children have received autism diagnoses. The couple opened up about their experiences in the BBC One documentary Our Family And Autism, which came out in December 2021.
“What gets to me with them all, and it’s only how I think, I think, ‘Will they ever know how loved they are? Do they understand what love is?’” Paddy says in the documentary.
“When I’m with Leo every night in bed I will say to him, ‘Who loves you more than anything in the world?’. He’ll say, ‘you do’. Then I’ll go, ‘Do you love Daddy?’ and he’ll go, ‘yeah’.
“But I think to myself, ‘Is he just saying that, or does he know that?’”
Following his kids’ diagnoses, Paddy McGuinness says he developed clinical depression as his worries and anxieties about them spiralled beyond his control.
“I wasn’t unhappy for me,” he said. “I was just stressed with the whole thing but I worked my [backside] off because I thought the only thing I can do for these kids is give them a life where they’re as comfortable as possible.
“What I should have been thinking is I need to give them as much love as I can. It’s more about having time with them. I realise that now.”
“I’ve got three amazing kids with autism, I’ve got a wife who’s autistic and I feel blessed and equipped with life going forward. This is my gang, my family. I’m proud of us and wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Paddy and Christine ended their relationship in 2022 after 11 years of marriage. However, they are still close, and co-parent their three children.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, contact The Samaritans on 116 123. They are available for free at anytime.
Read more: Christine McGuinness confesses she still hasn’t ‘dealt’ with Paddy marriage split
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