31 May 2024 , 09:04
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Paddy McGuinness has slammed speculation about his life in the limelight, calling the constant rumours about him "weird".
The Bolton-born star, 50, who split up from his wife, Christine McGuinness, in 2022, enjoyed stellar success as the host of BBC's Top Gear. However, after his co-host, Freddie Flintoff, was involved in an accident on the show, which left him with severe facial injuries, the decision was made to halt filming of the popular series for the "foreseeable future".
Since Top Gear's axe, Paddy has bagged a new travel gig on the Beeb with fellow Top Gear star, Chris Harris. He also presents a Sunday morning show on BBC Radio 2 and has taken over from Gregg Wallace on Inside The Factory. However, the Phoenix Nights alum says people are "weirdly" accusing him of not working, which he admitted "winds him up".
Paddy McGuinness presented Top Gear on the BBC until it was axed following Freddie Flintoff's horror crash (BBC/Vincent Dolman)Speaking out about the rumours, Paddy said: "I was reading a few weeks back about how I didn’t have any work, and I was like 'What? I’m the busiest I’ve ever been'. It’s weird, if you’re not on TV constantly then everybody thinks you’re not working. Sometimes it can wind you up, but I’ve been doing this so long, so 90% of the time I just think it is what it is," reports the Metro.
The straight-talking star shot to fame in Channel 4's Phoenix Nights after he was given the chance to submit material for the show by his childhood pal and show creator, Peter Kay. Speaking about the opportunity to be involved in the smash-hit show, he said: "When I look back at Phoenix Nights, I think: 'God, that was such a good thing to be a part of.' I was carefree, living in the moment, and having fun. I never really appreciated what we were doing."
Paddy& Christine McGuinness reunite for New Year's Day family outing
The dad-of-three also recently presented Let Me See Your Voice on BBC One. However, after the series was paused, he admitted he was "scratching his head", after stating the series, which included Amanda Holden as a judge, "won its spot" on the BBC each week.
After it was announced Top Gear had been axed, fans wondered whether Paddy, Freddie and Chris would work together again. Freddie is now concentrating on his cricket by helping the England team prepare for the World Cup. However, Paddy and Chris are going to be back on the road again in a new travel show.
The BBC series, which has a working title of Paddy and Chris: Road Trippin. will explore how people in Europe approach life as the presenters uncover the "secrets to living a long and full life".
Speaking about working with his Top Gear co-star again, Paddy said in a statement for the BBC: "I’m very much looking forward to getting back on the road with Chris Harris. Not so much looking forward to sharing a confined space with him. He doesn’t believe in deodorant." He added: "On the plus side he’ll give me something to laugh at along the way. Bring it on!"