Christine McGuinness reveals ‘UK’s oldest heroin addict’ dad has beaten 40 year addiction – and ex Paddy leaves message
CHRISTINE McGuinness has revealed the latest happy chapter in her relationship with her dad - telling fans he has finally beat his 40-year addiction.
The mum-of-three, 35, took to her Instagram page to post a gallery of snaps through the years, from his sobering moments in a hospital bed to a recent smiling selfie.
Christine gushed with pride as she told how parent Johnny is the "happiest and healthiest I've ever seen him."
Issuing a trigger warning for her upload, the model began her image carousel with a present-day image showing the pair beaming.
She placed a tender hand on her dad's stomach as they posed in a conservatory, with the pair showcasing huge grins.
Scenes then flicked to Johnny in hospital with a sick bowl before they showed him painfully thin and on crutches.
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The gallery then wrapped with another happy snap of the present day.
In her lengthy caption, Christine wrote: "For all the times Ive said what I thought was our last ‘goodbye’ Today was the best Hello.
"My dad is the happiest and healthiest I’ve ever seen him, my dad is off heroin. I never thought I’d say those words.
"If you love someone in recovery, never lose hope, its never too late.
"My dad is 62, he’s been an addict for four decades and now he’s a big strong 16st man!
"Dad, I am so proud of you."
Christine's ex Paddy McGuinness was quick to show his support for his in-law.
Commenting underneath, he joked: "His belly is everything! Good lad J."
Responding to the comment, Christine simply posted a white love heart.
Back in 2022, Christine revealed how she had re-kindled her troubled relationship with her dad.
The Sun exclusively told how she was "closer than ever" to her parent following the breakdown of her marriage.
Things took another downward spiral in the dad-daughter relationship when Johnny failed to turn up for her wedding to walk her down the aisle and, later, when he hasn't met her kids.
Yet two years ago they stuck up regular contact.
At the time, a source told us: "Christine has made no secret of how tough her childhood was.
"It was very hard for him to read her take on his addiction in her autobiography.
"She always felt her dad chose drugs over her, but since splitting from Paddy she has reconnected with her dad.
"Christine has been visiting Blackpool a lot to see him and she's been building up relationships with other family members too, they’re closer than they ever have been."
The model's youth was blighted by drugs - from crawling over a used needle aged one to watching her dad shoot heroin.
Writing in her autobiography, A Beautiful Nightmare, Christine previously told how Blackpool-based Johnny is "one of the longest living heroin addicts registered in the country."
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Heroin addiction - how to help
CHRISTINE McGuinness' dad has beaten his four-decade heroin addition - and the NHS has some advice.
Heroin is an opiate drug. Other opioids include codeine, opium and morphine.
According to NHS.co.uk: "If you need treatment for addiction to heroin or another opioid you can either see a GP or visit your local drug treatment service."
They add that two treatment plans are available - detox therapy and maintenance therapy.
In the publication, she told how she doubted he would be able to get clean - yet thankfully she has been proved wrong.
Her wider book showed how thankful she was for her life - with the RHOC star telling how she wanted "hot water and a nice house" for her kids following her tough childhood.
