Christine McGuinness 'blamed herself' for her three children being autistic

Christine McGuinness shares six-year-old twins Leo and Penelope and Felicity, three, with her husband Paddy

Christine McGuinness has admitted she blamed herself for her children being austistic.

The model, 32, is married to Top Gear host Paddy McGuinness, 46, and shares six-year-old twins Leo and Penelope and Felicity, three, with him.

All three of their children are autistic, which Christine says she thought was her fault because they spent all their time with her when their dad was working away from home a lot.

Speaking on MTV podcast Nappy Days, Christine said: "They were with me permanently. My husband works away a lot so I thought maybe it was me and that I hadn't taught them very well.

"They also never went to nursery or play groups so I blamed myself for them having no social skills.

"I thought that it was down to me doing a rubbish job as a mother."

According to the NHS, it's not known what causes autism.

It can be genetic but it isn't caused by parenting.

Christine recently admitted that she was anxious about her children going back to school as the nationwide lockdown eases.

She said she would be treating herself to a holiday when we can finally travel abroad.

The mum-of-three wrote on Instagram : "It's a mixture of emotions the children visiting school is some normality but it's also so different. I feel happy, sad, anxious, excited!

"But ultimately... I'm a very proud mummy!

"My little trio have been total superstars."