Christine McGuinness discusses her anxiety battle as she credits close friend Duncan James for helping her overcome 'scary' new TV challenge

Christine McGuinness has opened up about her ongoing battle with anxiety as she admitted that first stepping into the spotlight was nerve-wracking.

The model, 36, has credited close friend Duncan James, 46, for helping her overcome her fears after the pair met in 2021 while participating in ITV's The Real Full Monty.

Christine explained how the 'stripping off didn't scare her' on the show, where celebrities strip on stage to raise awareness for cancer charities, but instead the performing side worried her. 

She told Daily Star Sunday: 'When we first started, I was so nervous. It wasn't so much the stripping off that scared me, it was performing on stage.

'But then Duncan put his arm around me and said, 'Come on, you're going to be fine,' and that really helped. We did it and we had fun.'

Both Christine and Duncan have struggled with mental health, including anxiety and depression, which has made their friendship stronger.

Christine added that she is glad she is not alone struggling with anxiety and it is comforting to have someone to 'talk' to.  

She continued: 'A lot of people suffer from anxiety. It's awful. I genuinely struggle with it when I walk down red carpets. But knowing Duncan has experienced it too really helps. I think, 'Thank God it's not just me.' We've talked about things, and that really helps.'

Duncan added: 'Talking to Christine has helped me learn a lot about myself. She's brilliant.'   

Christine, who is autistic, explained that having Duncan by her side has made things 'a lot easier to deal with'.

The duo recently put their friendship to the test in Channel 4's Celebrity Hunted, which Christine also said has helped her grow in confidence. 

It comes after Christine confirmed she will spend Christmas with ex-husband Paddy.

The model, split from former Take Me Out host Paddy in 2021 after just over a decade of marriage.

But she has now revealed they will spend the festive period together for the sake of their children; twins Penelope and Leo, 11, and Felicity, eight.

Christine previously admitted the children do not know their parents have separated and now she has said she does not want to 'upset' them at Christmas.

She told Woman's Own: 'The last thing we want to do is upset our children over Christmas, so we'll make sure we're all together.

'lt will be a quiet one. We always try to keep it quiet, because the children can get quite overwhelmed with the changes.

'So we try to keep it like a normal day but with presents.'

Last year, Christine and Paddy reunited to celebrate the twins' 10th birthday.

Christine could be seen having a whale of a time bouncing on a huge bouncy castle that she and Paddy had hired for the day.

The doting mum captioned the sweet post with 'Celebrating my twinnies 10th birthday double figures, double love. Leo and Penelope you changed my world for the better, I’m so proud of you both, feeling extremely grateful I get to be your mummy and you are my babies forever

'If there was ever a day I wanted to share a picture of them it’s today!. But when they’re old enough they can decide for themselves. I can tell you they’re getting so tall, their smiles are just gorgeous and they have the most beautiful brown eyes I’ve ever seen'.

In June, the former Real Housewives star admitted she was very wary about putting herself back on the market, especially as she had never really dated total strangers before. 

She told The Sunday Mirror: 'I started dating in June, and it's the first time I've ever dated in my life, which is really scary. Even when I was younger I would end up seeing people I was already friends with.

'So going on dates with people you don't already know is brand new to me and I am doing that in my thirties for the first time. 

'I avoided doing it for as long as possible because I know I am in no position to be in a serious relationship.'