Christine McGuinness has quit Celebs Go Dating just days into filming after realising that dating in the public eye is "too soon" for her.
The 37-year-old model, who finalised her divorce from TV presenter Paddy McGuinness in October 2024, had already flown to Ibiza to begin filming the E4 reality series.
In a statement posted to Instagram, Christine explained her sudden departure from the show.
"I joined Celebs Go Dating with great intentions but have realised that dating on a public platform and the attention that brings is just too soon for me," Christine wrote in her statement.
Paddy and Christine McGuinness announced their split in October 2024
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"They've said the door is always open for me, which I'm so grateful for, but for now I'm returning home to my family."
A spokesperson for Celebs Go Dating responded: "We have loved having Christine on the show and completely respect her feelings and decision to return home and have told her that the door is always open for her in the future at the agency."
Christine and Paddy McGuinness announced their separation in 2022 after 15 years together, finalising their divorce in October 2024.
The former couple still live together for the sake of their three children - twins Leo and Penelope, and daughter Felicity - who have all been diagnosed with autism.
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When they announced their split, they released a statement saying: "This was not an easy decision to make but we're moving forward as the best parents we can be for our three beautiful children.
"We'll always be a loving family, we still have a great relationship and still live happily in our family home together."
Celebrity Big Brother star Chris Hughes, 32, is believed to have signed on as her replacement, fresh from his headline-grabbing appearance on the ITV show where his close friendship with JoJo Siwa became a major talking point.
Hughes will fill the gap left by Christine's departure, with producers said to be taking advantage of the current interest in his personal life.
Christine McGuinness shared a series of reflective statements after her exit
The reality star previously appeared on Love Island before his stint on Celebrity Big Brother last month.
His addition to the dating show comes after Made in Chelsea star Sam Prince also joined the line-up as a "last minute" addition.
Hughes and Siwa's relationship was one of the biggest talking points during their time on Celebrity Big Brother, with many viewers speculating about a potential romance. The pair have since clarified that their relationship is purely platonic.
During a joint appearance on This Morning, JoJo told host Ben Shephard: "It is platonic. We have a lot of fun together. Life is life and I don't know any future of anything. But I'm really grateful for our dynamic and our bond that we have."
Christine McGuinness announced her Celebs Go Dating exit on Instagram
The new series of Celebs Go Dating features a star-studded line-up alongside Hughes, with Kerry Katona, 44, returning to the show after her previous appearance in 2019.
Other celebrities looking for love include Too Hot To Handle's Louis Russell, Love Island's Olivia Hawkins, and S Club 7 singer Jon Lee.
The Chase's Mark Labbett, known as 'The Beast', is also set to join the agency later in the series.
Made in Chelsea's Sam Prince expressed his excitement about joining the show, saying: "I'm looking forward to meeting new people but also to discover more about myself and to understand where things have gone wrong in past relationships."
The cast had already begun filming in Ibiza when Christine made her decision to leave.
