Christine McGuinness announces new BBC One documentary Unmasking My Autism – who is she and when does it air?

Christine McGuinness is proving triumphant after some painful years, with her new BBC documentary date announced.
Christine McGuinness announces new BBC one documentary
Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images
Jessica Knibbs2 March 2023

Christine McGuinness, 34, recently appeared on Loose Women discussing her upcoming BBC documentary, which details her struggles about getting a autism diagnosis.

McGuinness, who is fresh from her split with Top Gear host Paddy McGuiness, admitted she was “actually nervous” about her comeback asking fans to “go easy on me”.

The mum-of-two and former model also attended a press screening of the upcoming documentary at London Fashion Week.

What is Christine McGuinness’s new BBC documentary?

The new hour-long documentary for BBC is entitled Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism. McGuinness will detail how the model wasn’t diagnosed until the age of 33.

It also looks to uncover the untold story of how autism in women and girls has been highly misunderstood by both science and society.

One study published in Springer Link found autism to be majorly underdiagnosed among girls and women, perhaps due to them expressing their condition in ways that do not meet current diagnostic criteria, the study noted.

The research also found that autism is more commonly diagnosed in males than girls and women, with current estimates suggesting around three males receive an autism diagnosis for every female.

When will Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism air?

The mum-of-three took to Instagram to promote and share news of the “incredibly personal short film”.

Sharing a promotional snap, McGuinness wrote: “Finally I can give you a date. My new documentary.. ‘Christine McGuinness: unmasking my autism’ 15th March on @bbc @bbciplayer.”

The programme, which will be on BBC at 9pm, will be available on iPlayer after it is shown on TV.

Who is Christine McGuiness?

McGuinness was born in Blackpool on March 20, 1988.

She began an impressive career as a beauty queen, eventually being crowned Miss Liverpool in 2007.

It was during this time, and while modelling at the Liverpool Tennis Tournament, that she met Paddy McGuinness, when she was just 19 years old.

The pair tied the knot four years later, with comedian Peter Kay among the 200 guests.

Alongside her then-husband, McGuinness has appeared in a number of television shows including Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, All Star Mr & Mrs, Loose Women, Steph’s Packed Lunch, Hey Tracey, and The Real Housewives of Cheshire.

McGuinness released an autobiography A Beautiful Nightmare: My Story and has been vocal with her and her children’s struggles with autism.

In 2021, a BBC One documentary further explored life with autism, entitled Paddy and Christine McGuinness: Our Family and Autism.

The pair unfortunately called quits on their relationship in July 2022, after 15 years together.

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