Paddy McGuinness ‘gets £2.5m mansion in toxic divorce battle’ but ex Christine will STILL live there with three kids

that the 7-bedroom family home in Cheshire, with a gym and swimming pool, is TV star Paddy's pride and joy.

He reportedly argued he'd be unable to afford anything similar, after divorcing his wife of 11 years.

It's claimed that Christine, however, didn't want to move ten-year-old twins Penelope and Leo, or seven-year-old daughter Felicity - all of who have been diagnosed with autism- from the house they've grown up in.

A source told the publication: "Paddy is very much the king of his castle when it comes to their house. There was no way he was going to move into a smaller property while she stayed in their big house.

" It means that they both still own the house and Paddy will have access to it at any time.

They continued: "Paddy also knew that Christine would not want to cause their children upset by putting the house up for sale as they need routine and familiar surroundings because of their autism.

"Christine does have the option to force the sale of the house but she wanted to put her children’s needs first."

Former Real Housewives of Cheshire star Christine, 36, who was diagnosed with autism and ADHD herself in 2021, hired solicitor Catherine Bedford, best known for representing Ant McPartlin's-ex Lisa Armstrong, to represent her during divorce proceedings.

Radio 2 presenter Paddy, 51, employed renowned divorce specialist Emma Hatley to represent him in court. 

A friend of Christine's told the Mail that while she appreciates the unusual set-up is far from ideal, Christine was never prepared to disrupt the children's home life.

One said: "The current situation sounds dreadful. But the other solution would have been that the kids had to move out of the only home they’ve ever known."

Having returned to stand-up for the first time in eight years recently Paddy surprised the audience by referencing his divorce just a minute into his new show.

Taking to the stage in Blackburn last week, on the opening night of his Nearly There UK tour, he said: "Tonight, folks, we’re all here as human beings with one common goal... and that’s to help me pay for my divorce. I’ve had the pants down, me, the pants down."

According to the Mail Christine was left "furious" by his comment, with friends of hers apparently telling the publication that Paddy had even tried to get her to sign a non-disclosure agreement as part of the divorce settlement.

Paddy is said to deny this however.