By Jessica Clarke

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Christine McGuinness has opened up about a frightening private health struggle and is experiencing feelings of being “overwhelmed” and “frightened” whilst managing her recently disclosed health concerns.

The television personality, 37, has discussed enduring unexpected “seizures”, amongst the manifestations of her diagnosed Raynaud’s disease. Whilst she’s relieved to receive a diagnosis, it’s not alleviating her health worries, an insider revealed to new.

“Christine is a massive over thinker, so when it comes to her health, she does get really stressed – this health scare was the last thing she needed recently,” the source claimed.

The previous week, the mother-of-three mentioned she initially realised something was amiss at the start of the year when she’d found it difficult to fasten her children’s uniforms, as her hands unexpectedly locked up.

“It can be frustrating and upsetting,” the former model explained to Mail Online: “When it happens, sometimes I have no choice but to stop what I’m doing until my hands recover, which can be very challenging when I’m trying to balance work commitments and family life.”

Following multiple incidents, Christine consulted medical professionals in May, receiving a diagnosis of Raynaud’s syndrome – a disorder that triggers an excessive response to cold temperatures, impacting circulation to the fingers and toes, and occasionally the nose, ears and lips.

The condition can be primary, indicating it develops independently, or secondary, connected to an underlying illness such as scleroderma or lupus. Christine McGuinness has expressed relief over her diagnosis, as insiders reveal the Liverpool-born star was worried it could be something more serious.

“Christine was really worried when she first started having these symptoms and seizing up,” an insider revealed. “Immediately her mind went to the worst case and thinking it could have been something far worse than it is. Luckily, Raynaud’s isn’t too serious and she will be OK, but it’s still not nice for her.”

Despite this, Christine is still apprehensive about managing the condition, the source added. The telly star is mum to twins Leo and Penelope, 12, and nine year old daughter, Felicity, who she shares with ex-husband Paddy McGuinness.

The couple announced their split in July 2022 after 11 years of marriage, but continue to live together to co-parent their children, all of whom have been diagnosed with autism.

Christine herself has autism and ADHD, something she has openly discussed since her diagnosis in 2021, and she’s explained how it affects her ability to adapt to new routines or situations.

“Change is a big deal if you’re autistic or ADHD and I don’t like change at all,” Christine confessed earlier this year, adding that the condition manifests itself in other ways as well. I’m very OCD with the house and myself so the house has to be completely clean,” she shared. “I’ve decorated the house just plain white. It’s quite clinical and that’s how I like it, that gives me some kind of clear headspace.”

The source revealed that Christine’s neurodiversity has made her new diagnosis a challenging experience, leaving her constantly on edge.

“Things like this can really throw Christine and it was a shock for her to learn something is wrong with her. She gets scared that she will seize up when no one is around or when she’s alone with the kids, and have no help,” the insider shared.

“It feels like she isn’t in control of things and that’s something she finds extremely difficult. She worries it will impact her abilities to parent the children. The last thing she wants is to feel helpless.”

This shocking diagnosis is just the latest twist in what has been a rollercoaster year for Christine. She briefly appeared on Celebs Go Dating but quickly left the E4 show, confessing that she wasn’t quite ready for the spotlight on her love life.

On the show, she admitted, “I need to date in a natural environment. It takes me a long time to sit in front of someone. I’ve found the outside attention too much. I’m hiding more and that’s not what I want. I am ready to date and I am excited about meeting somebody in the future but, right now, I need to do things in baby steps.”

Our insider added, “She’s been under a lot of stress recently after attempting to do Celebs Go Dating and then leaving the show. She felt like she missed out but also really couldn’t deal with it all. It feels like a whirlwind few months between that and the seizures, so Christine is just hoping things get better towards the end of the year.”

We’re keeping our fingers crossed that things start to improve for you too, Christine.

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