Kerry on turning her life around: “I used to drink three bottles of Cava a night when I was with George”
During her UK ‘Audience With’ tour, Kerry Katona has revealed just how low she sunk during her marriage to George Kay. Now, though, she says she’s happier than ever
With her new size 8 figure and fresh positive outlook, W Kerry Katona is looking and feeling better than ever, but she admits it’s been a long journey to reach this point. Following years of alcohol and drug abuse, and three failed marriages, the former Atomic Kitten star reveals she finally “loves herself”.
Speaking during her UK tour of An Audience With Kempika in Manchester last week, alongside best friend and ex-real Housewives Of Cheshire star Ampika Pickston, the mum-of-five opened up about her new-found confidence.
Kerry, 37, told the audience, “I don’t drink at home. I’m a single mum, I have no childcare, I don’t see the point. I have to do the school run, I have no cleaners, I’m literally doing it all by myself. I feel empowered, amazing, my kids are awesome. I’ve drunk enough to last me a lifetime, so I don’t do it any more.”
It marks a distinct turnaround for Kerry, who admitted her drinking began to spiral out of control during her turbulent third marriage to former rugby player and ex-convict George Kay, 37.
ISOLATED
George was reportedly detained under the mental health act in 2014 after suffering a terrifying meltdown outside the couple’s home in Oxfordshire, which he later blamed on alcohol and steroids. The following year, he was charged with assaulting Kerry and being in possession of a taser gun – the charges were later dropped.
The pair – who have daughter Dylanjorge, five, together – split for a year, before reuniting in August 2016. But the relationship ended for good in June last year.
Reflecting on the marriage, Kerry claims, “I became so isolated. I was drinking three bottles of Prosecco or Cava a night because he completely controlled my life. He was doing everything so that [the drink] was all I had.”
And it’s not the first time Kerry has gone through heartache. She married first husband Brian Mcfadden, 37, in 2002 and gave birth to two daughters – Molly, now 16, and Lilly-sue, 15. But in 2004, Kerry was left heartbroken when the Westlife singer filed for divorce and was linked to Australian singer Delta Goodrem soon after.
In 2007, Kerry went on to marry taxi driver Mark Croft and they had Max, now 10, and Heidi, 11, before splitting in 2011. He later admitted to being a drug dealer.
Kerry told the audience, “I’ve been married three times and I still don’t talk to any of them. All I wanted was to be a mum and a wife. I tried to recreate that with my first husband and the f***er left me for Delta Goodrem.”
And she mischievously added, “If you look at all my exes, not one of them looks alike. For me, it’s about humour, you’ve got to make me laugh, and they all did... in bed. Only joking – George was all right in the sack, Brian was s**t!”
For now, Kerry has ruled out having any more children, but she does want a particular type of man. She jokes, “I still like a bloke to pay for my food, but I still haven’t found one.”
TAKING RESPONSIBILITY
Kerry has been very open about her troubled upbringing. She first tried drugs aged 14 with her mum, Sue, and spent her childhood in foster homes and refuges. She also cared for Sue, who battled depression and self-harmed in front of her.
While Kerry – who’s been declared bankrupt three times – still shares a close bond with Sue, 57, she admits she’s not her role model. Instead, Kerry relies on herself.
Opening up to her audience, she says, “I feel I had to go through it [her battles] to be the person I am today. It took me so long to accept what had gone on. I blamed my mum, my childhood, Mark Croft. I had to take responsibility for situations and now I’ve done that. I’m clean for nine years, I’ve got five beautiful kids and I’m stronger than ever.”