Paddy McGuinness is revealed to take over Rylan Clark’s BBC Radio 2 show just days after divorce proceedings with wife Christine began.
The former Top Gear presenter, 50, will step in for the radio host for four shows while Rylan, 35, films ‘something very special’.
Paddy is ready to bring an ‘endless supply of dad jokes’ to the hit show, which airs every Saturday from 3pm to 6pm, starting this week.
Excited for his temporary stint, Paddy said: ‘I’m really excited to be taking over the reins of Rylan’s show and keeping his seat warm for four weeks.
‘I can’t wait to bring the fun, and an endless supply of dad jokes, to Radio 2 every Saturday.’
Paddy McGuinness is set to take over Rylan Clark’s BBC Radio 2 show just days after divorce proceedings with wife Christine began
The former Top Gear presenter, 50, will step in for the radio host for four shows while Rylan films ‘something very special’
Paddy previously held the fort on Vernon Kay’s mid-morning show in November while the host was running an ultra marathon for Children In Need.
Rylan, who has presented the afternoon show for five years, said: ‘I’m going to be off for a few weeks filming something very special – so the wonderful Paddy McGuinness is going to be keeping my lovely Radio 2 listeners entertained while I’m away. Over to you Paddy.’
Head of BBC Radio 2 Helen Thomas said: ‘Paddy did a great job presenting Ten To The Top for Vernon Kay whilst he took on his Ultra Ultramarathon Challenge for BBC Children In Need last year.
‘He was warmly welcomed by the listeners so it’s wonderful to welcome him back to Radio 2 to sit in for Rylan on Saturday afternoons for four weeks.’
While Paddy enjoys the next four Saturday’s on the radio show, his divorce from estranged wife Christine, 35, has finally started.
Christine and Paddy, who share three children together, announced they had parted ways in July 2022 after 11 years of marriage.
Paddy is about to face a potentially acrimonious and expensive divorce battle with Christine, his loyal partner of nearly two decades.
On Monday, proceedings began to formerly end their marriage, with Christine hiring the no-nonsense family lawyer Catherine Bedford of top London firm, Harbottle and Lewis.
Paddy is ready to bring an ‘endless supply of dad jokes’ to the hit show, which airs every Saturday from 3pm to 6pm, starting this week
Excited for his temporary stint, Paddy said: ‘I’m really excited to be taking over the reins of Rylan’s show and keeping his seat warm for four weeks’
Rylan, who has presented the afternoon show for five years, said: ‘I’m going to be off for a few weeks filming something very special – so the wonderful Paddy McGuinness is going to be keeping my lovely Radio 2 listeners entertained while I’m away. Over to you Paddy.’
While Paddy enjoys the next four Saturday’s on the radio show, his divorce from estranged wife Christine (pictured), 35, has finally started
Christine and Paddy, who share three children together, announced they had parted ways in July 2022 after 11 years of marriage
Nicknamed the ‘pitbull,’ she represented Ant McPartlin’s wife Lisa in her bitter battle with the I’m A Celeb star, while she is also acting for Games of Thrones star Sophie Turner, who split from American singer Joe Jonas last year.
A friend of Christine’s told the : ‘The gloves are off, she was good to Paddy, she stayed at home and brought up his children while he was out earning money.
‘It’s going to be an expensive divorce for Paddy. Christine has had enough.’
Last month, Paddy was asked by Emma Willis why he was going back to his roots as a stand-up comedian.
Announcing his downfall, Paddy said: ‘Errr… well, the money’s run out now, it’s taken about eight years to spend it all and I’m like, “Oh, I’ve got to build it back up”,’ he told her.
While, just before Christmas, the star posted a picture on Instagram of two mugs together labelled ‘his’ and ‘hers’, fuelling rumours that he was in a relationship after a difficult divorce from Christine.
In July 2022, it was reported in The Sun on Sunday that the end came when Christine was told Paddy had kissed a star after they appeared on a TV show together.
The woman was never named though Christine knows her identity and was said to be ‘devastated’ after learning of it during the The Games.
On Monday, proceedings began to formerly end their marriage, with Christine hiring the no-nonsense family lawyer Catherine Bedford of top London firm, Harbottle and Lewis (pictured together in 2021)
Just a week later it reported how Paddy had also been sending direct messages on social media to a BBC presenter, which Christine discovered in March 2022.
It is understood that was a contributing factor to the relationship ending, but Paddy has never responded to any of the allegations.
Behind the scenes, Paddy was said to be trying to persuade Christine that they shouldn’t get divorced as they can do much more together as a couple, but she refused to budge.
‘She was only 19 when she met him and is enjoying this new lease of life,’ said a friend of the star.