Kerry: “I never thought I’d marry again – until I met Ryan”
After embracing the single life and healthy living, Kerry Katona insists she’s finally found The One – and possibly husband No 4
She revealed s she was “done with marriage” following her split from third husband George Kay last August – instead choosing to embrace her single status and focus on her health and happiness.
But after going public with new man Ryan Mahoney last week – writing on Instagram “Well I’m officially spoken for!!!”, Kerry Katona has told pals that meeting the personal trainer has caused a dramatic change of heart.
A source reveals, “Kerry has loved being on the ‘man ban’ since she split from George and it’s been great for her to focus on herself and the kids. She’d started to feel ready to dip her toes in the dating scene again, but wasn’t planning on anything serious and just wanted to see what was out there.
“She met Ryan on dating app Bumble about four weeks ago, but kept the romance a secret from even her close pals at first because she knew they’d be concerned if it looked like she was rushing in. She’s jumped from romance to romance in the past, but she says it’s different with Ryan. He showers her with gifts and she says he makes her feel incredible. She’d pretty much ruled out marrying again, but has confessed to friends that Ryan is starting to change her mind. She’s said he feels different from all the rest. She feels happier than ever and wouldn’t rule out wedding bells in their future if things carry on like this.”
rushed romances
Kerry, 37, has endured a series of heartaches over the years. She was devastated following the collapse of her first marriage to singer Brian Mcfadden – father of her eldest children, Molly, 16, and Lilly-sue, 15. Things had got off to a rocky start after he admitted he’d been unfaithful on his stag do. She got engaged to second husband Mark Croft – dad to Heidi, ten, and Max, nine – after just five weeks of dating but, following their split in 2010,
Kerry insisted he was her mum Sue’s drug dealer and that she’d only married him for “free drugs”. And after splitting from third husband George – father of her three-year-old daughter – Dylan-jorge, Kerry accused him of being violent towards her, claims he has denied.
But sources say Kerry now realises what she truly deserves from a man and insists that Ryan ticks all the boxes. The source says, “Kerry now sees that she’s rushed into romances before because she loved to feel loved. Being single for nine months really helped her grow in confidence and feel independent and secure on her own. She’d told pals that if she met someone new, they would have to fit in with her life and around her children. And she says that’s exactly what Ryan does. He’s already met the kids and made a huge effort with them. He fits into her family life perfectly and she feels he brings out the best version of her. She’s insisted she won’t make the mistake of rushing in head-first and is trying to take things slowly. Kerry’s a romantic at heart and says she’s sensing there might be a fairy-tale ending for her after all.”
She admitted in a previous interview, “All I have ever wanted is to be part of a family. To be a husband and wife with kids and a solid unit.”
Last week, Kerry – who insisted in April that she had quit booze – was spotted being carried out of a Love Island party by former contestant Dom Lever and was later snapped kissing a female pal in a taxi.
GOOD INFLUENCE
But the mum of five – who has transformed her body and shed around 2½st through a healthy diet and exercise – insists Ryan will be a good influence on her.
The source adds, “Kerry is keen to stay on her health kick and keep her body looking trim and toned. She’s adamant she’s still allowed a few nights out to let her hair down and said she didn’t work this hard for her body to just sit in front of the telly. She wants to have fun. But she’s admitted Ryan isn’t a big drinker as he’s so into his fitness, so she knows he’ll be good at keeping her on track with her diet and exercise. They’ve talked about exercising together – she loves being with a man who cares about his body.
“After everything Kerry has been through, she feels like she’s truly turned a corner. She’s learned so much about herself since her split from George and looks and feels better than ever before. Ryan has been showering her with compliments, which makes her feel great, but she’s insisted to pals that her confidence was already high before meeting him. He’s come into her life at the perfect time and she’s excited for their future.”