EXCLUSIVEBBC axes Paddy McGuinness comedy about his life and divorce amid concerns it would be insensitive to his former wife Christine after their break-up
The BBC have axed a proposed Paddy McGuinness comedy series about his life and divorce, over fears that it would be distasteful and insensitive for his former wife Christine.
The BBC have axed a proposed Paddy McGuinness comedy series about his life and divorce, over fears that it would be distasteful and insensitive for his former wife Christine.
The 51-year-old comic played a version of himself in an unaired pilot episode which was filmed for the corporation last year.
The corporation has decided not to go ahead with the show, titled Paddy, as an insider says they are reluctant to get involved with the separation.
The mockumentary spoof followed a comedian going through a break-up, and also featured comedian Josh Pugh, 35, who revealed they filmed at an Airbnb standing in for Paddys house.
Mr Pugh said at the time: Paddy McGuinness is doing a spoof documentary of his life and in that documentary he is mentoring me as a stand-up. Its about his divorce. It was a very strange couple of days.
Paddy and Christine McGuinness announced their split in 2022 following months of rumours that their 11-year marriage was over
The BBC have axed a proposed Paddy McGuinness comedy series about his life and divorce, over fears that it would be distasteful and insensitive for his former wife Christine
A source familiar with the project said: The BBC has decided not to go ahead with Paddys mockumentary. Some thought it would be distasteful and insensitive to Christine, and were reluctant to be seen like they were taking sides in the messy break-up.
In 2022, after 11 years of marriage, Paddy split from Christine, the mother of their three kids, 10-year-old twins, Penelope and Leo and seven-year-old daughter Felicity.
Their divorce was finalised this summer yet they remain living under the same roof at their £2.5million family home in Cheshire for the sake of their young family.
The news of the shows axing will come as a relief to Christine who reportedly found out about the BBC pilot when she read about it online earlier in the year.
A pal revealed at the time: Christine is distraught that their divorce is going to be the butt of the jokes. Shes completely broken over the divorce and we are genuinely worried about her.
Paddy didnt tell her about the pilot. The fact she had to find out online, like everyone else, that he was doing this has broken her even more.
It comes as the Phoenix Nights star binned jokes about his divorce from his stand-up show after devastating his ex-wife by making gags about their painful split.
The stand-up is currently on tour with his Nearly There show, and on Thursday performed for the first time since sources close to Christine revealed she had been horrified that Paddy made jibes on stage.
During his latest show in Middlesbrough, Paddy had scrapped any mention of his high-profile breakup from Christine.
In 2022, after 11 years of marriage, Paddy split from Christine (pictured), the mother of their three kids
This week Paddy prepared for his 300 mile cycle challenge for Children In Need
At his previous Blackburn gig, Paddy opened his act by saying: Tonight folks, were all here as human beings with one common goal, and thats to help me pay for my divorce. Ive had the pants down, me, the pants down.
The BBC Radio 2 host added: Im thinking of getting Children In Need to do a bike ride for me next year, or come round to a bedsit in Bolton filming me.
But his jokes werent well received by Christine, with a friend of hers saying she kept a respectful silence during their divorce proceedings.
Last year it was revealed the BBC had axed a string of shows presented by Paddy, including Top Gear, A Question Of Sport, Catchpoint and I Can See Your Voice.
A BBC spokesperson said: We do not comment on pilots.
Paddy McGuinnesss representatives declined to comment.
