Christine McGuinness says her three children will eat chicken nuggets on Christmas Day

Christmas is just around the corner, and for families up and down the country, that means a big old Christmas dinner; we're talking turkey, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, pigs in blankets, gravy, maybe some green veg, stuffing, more gravy, etc.

But for Christine McGuiness' kids, it might be as straightforward as chicken nuggets and chips.

Instagram/mrscmcguinness

The mum-of-three explained that for her, enjoyment is much more important than tradition.

"I don't think they should have to fit in with tradition or what everybody else has," she told OK!.

"I think your Christmas dinner should be whatever you'd like to eat and I want them to enjoy it.

"If they want chicken nuggets and chips, then that's what I'm going to give them."

Christine has three children with ex Paddy - twins Leo and Penelope, nine, and Felicity, six.

After 15 years together - 11 of which they were married - they announced their split in July.

Christine said the separation had been 'heartbreaking', but the pair are set to spend Christmas together because 'that's what their children are used to'.

The 34-year-old explained: "We don't know what the future holds or how it's going to be moving forward, but we'll try to keep things as normal as possible.

"We're amicable. I'm quite happy for him to be there with the children and it's nice for them to see Mummy and Daddy just being alright.

"We can sit and have a cup of tea together and that's fine.

"I would never let the children be aware of anything other than us being happy and alright, because they're so young and innocent."

Christine revealed that the children don't actually know that their parents have split up.

Instagram/mrscmcguinness

She said: "They're so young. I'm trying to just stick to their normal routine - take them to school in the morning, pick them up, try to work while they're at school and take them to after-school clubs and just try to stick to normal life as much as possible."

The former couple released a joint statement on Instagram announcing their split.

The post read: "We hadn't planned on sharing this publicly until we were ready but after the lack of privacy surrounding our personal life, we feel left with no other option but to clarify.

"A while ago we took the difficult decision to separate but our main focus as always is to continue loving and supporting our children.

"This was not an easy decision to make but we're moving forward as the best parents we can be for our three beautiful children. We'll always be a loving family, we still have a great relationship and still live happily in our family home together.

"We hope this now draws a line under anymore unwanted and unnecessary intrusion into our private life. Although we work in the public eye we ask kindly if you could respect our wishes for privacy on this matter. We'll be making no further comment."