Struggling £6.5m sale leaves Christine McGuinness ‘unhappy’ and unable to move out

Paddy McGuinness and his ex-wife Christine remain locked in an increasingly awkward cohabitation, as their £6.5 million Cheshire mansion refuses to budge on the market after four-and-a-half months.

Despite boasting seven bedrooms, a private gym, his-and-hers dressing rooms, a sprawling orangery and planning permission for a roof terrace, the plush property in Prestbury has attracted “very little interest” from potential buyers. The listing price has drawn criticism even in this affluent corner of East Cheshire, with insiders suggesting the home may simply be too expensive for the current housing climate.

The couple originally purchased the property in 2020 for £2.1 million. Now, if it sells, they stand to make a sizeable profit, if being the keyword.

While they continue to live under the same roof for the sake of their three children—twelve-year-old twins Leo and Penelope, and eight-year-old Felicity—Christine is said to be deeply unhappy with the situation and desperate to leave. She has admitted they reside in “separate parts of the house,” but the financial and emotional entanglement remains unresolved.

Paddy, 51, rose to fame with his role on Take Me Out, known for his iconic line, “No likey, no lighty!” But there’s little light or levity in the current circumstances, as the once-luxurious home becomes a pressure cooker of post-divorce discomfort.

Christine, 37, has spoken openly about her struggles since their separation. She described the situation as “devastating” and has reportedly grown frustrated that the house hasn’t sold, preventing her from establishing a new, independent life.

Some close to the pair suggest Christine suspects the price was intentionally set too high, potentially as a delay tactic by Paddy. Though there is no confirmation, the rumour alone has added tension to an already fraught dynamic.

Christine has turned to other avenues in a bid to rebuild. She signed up for Celebs Go Dating, not necessarily in search of love, but reportedly to help ease the burden of mounting legal fees stemming from the divorce. She also recently expressed a desire to explore relationships with women, stating she’s seeking a “deeper connection” after her years with Paddy.

In addition, she’s ventured into entrepreneurship, with plans to launch a lifestyle brand spanning jewellery, fashion, and wellness products. It’s a bold step as she attempts to move forward—emotionally, financially, and geographically.

Meanwhile, Paddy appears to be continuing his television work unfazed, with recent appearances on Inside the Factory and other factual programming. Publicly, he insists the shared living arrangement doesn’t feel “tricky,” though the stalled property sale suggests otherwise.

The mansion, despite its opulence, now seems less a dream home and more a gilded cage—one that neither can quite escape.

As the new school year looms and the housing market stagnates, the former couple’s uneasy truce shows signs of wear. Whether the house will eventually sell, or whether one party will be forced to buy the other out, remains to be seen.

What’s certain is that until the doors of the mansion finally open to a buyer, Christine and Paddy McGuinness are stuck in a very modern kind of purgatory—separated, but not quite free.