Christine McGuinness stayed in 'unhappy' marriage because she 'doesn't like change'

Christine McGuinness stayed in an "unhappy" marriage to TV star Paddy McGuinness because she doesn't "like change".

The 34-year-old model split from the 'Top Gear' presenter - the father of her three children - last summer after 11 years of marriage and she has now opened up about the breakdown of their relationship in a new documentary which tells the story of her autism diagnosis two years ago.

Speaking in BBC film 'Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism', she explained: "My relationships before I met Patrick were not very good. I'd say they were pretty bad experiences.

"Before Patrick, I had been sexually abused, I was raped. I used to pray every night that I wouldn't wake up in the morning because it was so awful. When I met my husband that was a time when I was very safe and I wonder if that's why I stayed. I know that I've stayed in a place where I was probably unhappy because it was safe and I don't like change."

The documentary is due to air on March 15 and Christine hopes it will help shine a light on autism after she was diagnosed along with her twins Penelope, and Leo, eight, and daughter Felicity, six.

In a post on Instagram, she wrote: "I'm excited, nervous and proud to present this incredible short film that I truly hope and believe will help thousands of autistics feel understood, recognised and valued."

Christine previously appeared in another documentary called 'Our Family And Autism' in 2021 alongside her estranged husband which focused on how they cared for their three children.