Paddy McGuinness's girlfriend Emma Carey quits her job as Radio 2 publicist less than a month after the new couple went public with their romance

Once the person in charge of fielding stories, she suddenly found herself becoming the story. And less than a month after first being pictured enjoying a date with 'boyfriend' Paddy McGuinness, BBC publicist Emma Carey has quit her role.

The Irish woman, a publicity lead for BBC Radio 2, where Paddy hosts his Sunday show, was photographed at the start of August with the presenter, 53.

Dressed in a plunging black halter neck top, Emma looked smitten as they headed out for a date at the upmarket Rosewood Hotel near Covent Garden.

They later departed for another nearby hotel, looking comfortable in each other's company during the warm summer evening.

Announcing her exit from the Beeb for record label Columbia Records, Emma said online: 'This has been in the works for a while, and it's an absolute dream come true.

'I'm very excited to be part of such a talented promo team, working across a world-class roster of international and domestic artists – and returning to my true passion of telling artists' stories in creative and meaningful ways.'

She added of her BBC colleagues: 'I'm truly grateful for the memories, the opportunities and, most of all, the brilliant people I've collaborated with along the way. Now, on to the next chapter!'

Emma first joined the BBC in 2016, working in the press office, and later relocated to Ireland in 2020 to take up a job in RTE, the country's public service broadcaster. She returned to the UK to Radio 2 last summer – by which time Paddy was very much clear of his marriage to Christine. 

As a publicity lead for the station, Emma handled its press coverage as well as promotion for its shows and talent.

A BBC insider said: 'Emma no longer needs to worry what bosses or colleagues think about her relationship with Paddy. It is an exciting new era for her.'

The Daily Mail previously revealed that close friends of Paddy's ex-wife Christine McGuinness, 38, are worried about the new match and behind the scenes are warning off the Irish publicist.

'Paddy only ever does what Paddy wants to do,' one source said, suggesting Emma better get used to playing second fiddle to the star's work. 'His career comes first.'

They continued: 'Paddy can be very charming and of course he and Emma are clearly in the honeymoon period at the moment, staying at five-star hotels, having nice dinners out.

'He'll be wining and dining her and pulling out all the stops to impress her. Everything will be fine in the beginning, it's what comes afterwards that Emma needs to worry about. He can only keep it up for so long.'

Paddy and model Christine were married for 11 years before their split in 2022.

They have largely remained on good terms and co-habit, which they say is for the sake of twins Penelope and Leo, 13, and Felicity, ten, to avoid disruption of their routines.

Christine recently told the Daily Mail that she and Paddy have a strict rule about bringing dates back.

'This is the family home, and then Paddy and I have our lives outside,' she said.

'But we never did have many visitors to the house, even when we were married. We don't introduce the children to just anybody.

'So certainly when it comes to dating, anything like that is going to take a very, very long time, like years, years and years.'