Inside Christine McGuinness’s Unlikely Friendship with Spencer Matthews
Christine McGuinness discovered an unexpected friendship with Spencer Matthews while navigating her emotional journey during her split from ex-husband Paddy McGuinness. The pair formed a strong bond while filming for the BBC’s Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales, a show that aired last year, where they embarked on a transformative week-long spiritual adventure together.
As she faced the challenges of her marriage breakdown, Christine leaned on her co-stars, particularly Spencer, who became a significant source of support. An insider revealed to the Daily Mail, “You would never have put those two together, but they clicked instantly. Poor Christine had been through so much; having been with Paddy since her youth, he was really all she knew in a partner.”
The source continued, “To develop this friendship with Spencer was truly heartwarming. It was evident to everyone on set that they had a special connection. It must have been refreshing for her to find someone who could make her laugh, as they both delved into the spiritual aspects of life.”
During their time together, Christine and Spencer hiked an impressive 225 kilometers across Wales alongside five other celebrities from various faiths and beliefs. In one poignant scene towards the end of the series, Christine expressed her feelings, stating, “For me, it doesn’t feel like the end at all; it feels like the beginning. This experience has inspired me to live more fully. I don’t want to just exist.” She then turned to Spencer, adding, “I want to laugh every day like we have. I want to create more beautiful memories.”
Spencer Matthews, who is happily married to Irish model and influencer Vogue Williams, embarked on this journey after enduring the tragic loss of his brother, who went missing shortly after reaching the summit of Mount Everest in 1999. His body has never been recovered. Speaking about his experience during the Pilgrimage, Spencer said, “It was an enlightening journey. The entire experience made me feel even more grateful to be alive.”
Recently, Spencer faced rumors regarding his marriage to Vogue. In a powerful response, Vogue addressed the speculation, stating, “It’s with great sadness that I have to let you know that Spen and I are NOT breaking up! I typically avoid addressing baseless and cruel rumors, but this keeps resurfacing.”
She emphasized, “This is absolutely not true, and more importantly, I don’t want my children hearing these lies at school. We’re not sure where this is coming from, but the entire situation feels strange and unkind. We are very happily married and in love, and I hope sharing the truth on my platform will help put an end to it.”
The couple, who tied the knot in 2018, shares three children together: Theodore, aged six, Gigi, aged four, and their youngest, Otto, aged two.
On the other hand, Christine’s divorce from Paddy was finalized in 2022 after a 12-year marriage. She has expressed that she is in no rush to return to dating, as she still cohabits with her ex-husband to co-parent their three children, all of whom are on the autism spectrum. Recently, the former couple even spent Christmas Day together for the sake of their kids: twins Penelope and Leo, aged 11, and Felicity, aged eight.
Christine shared her thoughts on the Pilgrimage experience, stating, “I didn’t think I’d have such a good time. I am accustomed to being busy with the kids and various activities, so I wondered if I would be okay with spending that much time in my own thoughts. However, once I arrived, there wasn’t really a moment for me to be alone with my thoughts.”
As the journey unfolded, the bond between Spencer and Christine deepened, highlighting the power of friendship during challenging times.