Christine McGuinness praised for being 'amazing' mum as she admits her 'stomach is in knots'

First day back at school is a nerve-racking time for parents and Christine McGuinness was applauded as she shared her feelings. The doting mum-of-three posted a snap of her nine-year-old twins Leo and Penelope and daughter Felicity, five, looking smart in their uniforms as they stood in the playground.

The former The Real Housewives of Cheshire star, who announced in July that she had separated from her Top Gear and Question of Sport star husband Paddy, admitted to her Instagram followers that her stomach was 'in knots.'

She typed in a heartfelt message to her children: "I hope you genuinely smile and laugh, with or without a reason. I hope you keep learning and keep growing as the wonderful children you are.

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"I hope you have the confidence to be you and ask for quiet time or support if you need it. I hope you love yourself for all that you are and all that you are becoming #BackToSchool."

She added to her followers: "My stomach is in knots today, I’ll be distracting myself as much as possible! A new school year always brings new routine with new challenges but also new possibilities and new opportunities. Big cheers with a cuppa from one mummy to another!"

Loose Women star Nadia Sawalha praised: "Top mama x" wendy_turvill commented: "You’re an amazing mummy to the most precious children." And stringo67 commented: "You should feel like a very proud mummy today, they are all a credit to you. Keep smiling beautiful, it will soon be 3.00 o clock."

Christine has previously opened up about her journey as a mum of children who all have autism, a neurodevelopmental condition that can cause repetitive and restrictive behaviour. In December