Christine McGuinness has been left heart-broken after her mum was diagnosed with breast cancer.
The 32-year-old reality TV star – who has daughter Felicity, four, and seven-year-old twins Leo and Penelope with husband Paddy McGuinness – took to Instagram to share the "most upsetting post [she] will ever write" about her beloved mother, but admitted her mum is "determined to fight" the disease.
She wrote: "This is possibly the most upsetting post I will ever write and typing away now it’s really hitting home
My mum, my best friend, my rock was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
It’s hit me hard, we are very close.
She is a huge part of our family.
We spend almost every weekend together with my children, their bond is magical.
But, my mum is also the strongest woman I know and is determined to fight it she’s a proper ‘scouse Ma’. (sic)"
Christine admitted she has always held breast cancer charities close to her heart after four of her aunties were diagnosed with the disease.
She added: "I have always supported breast cancer charities as four of my aunties have also had breast cancer and my mum has asked me to continue helping raise money and awareness (the reason I’m sharing this) she has the biggest heart and always just wants to help others #MyMum #MyInspo #MyMa You will smash it mum (sic)"
Last month, Christine confirmed she had quit ‘Real Housewives of Cheshire’ to explore other "really exciting" opportunities.
She said: "I’ve got to make time for other things and with any time that I’ve got I need to spend it with the family and children.
"I’m still going to be about. You’re probably going to see more of me and it’s all really exciting.
"I’m sort of pinching myself. I can’t believe my luck, but I’m also quite sad that I’m not going to be filming with the ‘Housewives’ who start filming now in the next few weeks but yeah I’m not going back this series, but I’m moving on."