Paddy McGuinness has axed jokes about his divorce from his stand-up show after ‘devastating’ ex-wife Christine by making gags about their painful split.

The comedian, 51, who’s currently on tour with his Nearly There show, performed for the first time on Thursday night since sources close to Christine revealed she had been ‘horrified’ that Paddy made the cruel jibes on stage.

During his latest show in Middlesbrough, Paddy had scrapped any mention of his high-profile breakup from Christine, 36, who he still lives with at their £2.5million family home in Cheshire.

At his previous Blackburn gig, Paddy opened his act by saying: ‘Tonight folks, we’re all here as human beings with one common goal, and that’s to help me pay for my divorce. I’ve had the pants down, me, the pants down.’

The BBC Radio 2 host added: ‘I’m 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 weren’t well received by Christine, who is the mother of his 10-year-old twins, Penelope and Leo and seven-year-old daughter Felicity, given she has ‘kept a respectful silence during their divorce proceedings.’

A source told The Sun Christine had been ‘distraught’ at the idea people were laughing her and felt very ‘low’ and ‘shocked’ Paddy would use their heartache as part of his material.

The couple split in 2022 after 11 years of marriage and their divorce was finalised this summer yet they remain living under the same roof for the sake of their young family.

A source told MailOnline: ‘Paddy performed two 40-minute sets with a half hour break in between but at no point did he mention his divorce or splitting from Christine.

‘It was like he was on his best behaviour and was trying not to further offend his ex-wife with his comedic content.

‘He had clearly got the message about how upset Christine had been about his gags during the opening show and stayed clear from anything that could get him into trouble.

‘At one point Paddy did reference Christine but only in regards to her autism diagnosis.’

While Paddy had removed jokes about his divorce, he took aim at music mogul Simon Cowell, saying he looks like ‘melted caramac.’  

Paddy added: ‘In my industry, I think Botox has gone out of control, I really do.’ 

In 2021, Christine learned that she was autistic and has ADHD and documented her journey of self-discovery in BBC One show Unmasking My Autism.

Christine’s three children have also been diagnosed with autism, with the couple deciding to remain living together to avoid uprooting the lives of their young family.

MailOnline has contacted Paddy’s spokesperson for comment. 

Part of Christine’s autism has led her to feel ‘uncomfortable’ around food and her children have the same difficulties.

She has spoken about how the youngsters are currently having ‘food therapy’ where they learn and even play with different types of food to help them grow used to various textures and tastes.

Following their divorce, Christine, who recently appeared on Celebrity MasterChef to overcome her fears, confirmed she is dating again and is even seeing someone new.

During an appearance on Loose Women in September, Christine told the panel: ‘I am dating… but with terms and conditions that I’m not cooking. That’s the number one rule I am not doing the cooking, it’s not for me.

‘But I am dating, it’s all brand new, we had spoken an awful lot before we had our first date and I was very open and said that I don’t want to go to a restaurant or dinner date, I don’t know when I will sit and eat with you. But it’s new and exciting and it’s nice.’