Why Kerry vows she doesn’t need a man
● Splits from boyfriend of four months Ryan Mahoney following make-or-break holiday ● Tells pals she’s not afraid to embrace singledom ● Expert Emma Kenny believes the troubled mum of five has finally realised her own value
She’s had a string S of car-crash relationships in the spotlight, and after vowing not to repeat the same mistakes in her love life, she began dating personal trainer Ryan Mahoney earlier this year. But, as Closer went to press, following a romantic holiday to Thailand last week, Kerry Katona shockingly called it quits with Ryan after just four months of dating.
In September, Kerry, 38, told Closer that she was happier than ever with Ryan, 30, saying, “It’s still really early days – no one knows anything about him and I want to keep it that way. I’m not going to miss this opportunity to be happy with somebody.”
But sources say that while the couple appeared to be going from strength to strength – with Ryan regularly appearing in pictures with Kerry’s five children on social media – the holiday proved they weren’t as compatible as they first thought.
LACK OF CHEMISTRY
A source says, “Kerry and Ryan’s relationship was good while it lasted, but they hadn’t spent a large chunk of time together. When it was just the two of them on holiday, they realised they didn’t have as much chemistry as they first thought and not that much in common. He’s eight years younger than her, but he wasn’t up for partying like she was while on holiday. They were on different pages. But it wasn’t a fiery break-up. In fact, Kerry said they parted on good terms. “Friends have said they wouldn’t rule out the pair getting back together as Kerry still seems fond of him but, right now, she seems happy to be single and on her own.” Kerry’s seemingly amicable split with Ryan is in stark contrast to her previous romances. She
❛SHE NO LONGER HATES THE IDEA OF BEING SINGLE AND IS PUTTING HER HEALTH AND HAPPINESS FIRST❜
was left heartbroken following her split with first husband Brian Mcfadden – father to Molly, 17, and Lilly-sue, 15 – and said she’d begged him to stay with her. She then admitted rebounding from the Westlife singer with second husband Mark Croft in 2007 – with whom she has Heidi, 11, and Maxwell, ten – insisting the cab driver had become her drug dealer as she battled an addiction to cocaine. And after her dramatic split from third husband George Kay last August, Kerry lashed out and claimed the rugby player had been physically abusive towards her – claims he strongly denied.
But after insisting she was keen to keep her romance with Ryan private, insiders say Kerry appears to be over all the relationship drama. The source adds, “Kerry feels in a much better place right now and doesn’t want to go into all the details of their split. She tried to keep their relationship private while they were dating and has told pals she wants to maintain the same silence now they’ve broken up. She’s tired of falling out with her exes and having public slanging matches.”
DIFFERENT PRIORITIES
Kerry’s split with Ryan follows a difficult few weeks for the star – who recently admitted that she was considering going back on her medication for bipolar after “struggling” with her mental health. Speaking to fans in an emotional video, Kerry admitted to pushing Ryan away during her low points, saying, “I cut myself off from the world… The other half tries to ring me, and it’s like I push people away because I get so embarrassed to talk about it and that I have to deal with these issues myself.”
Kerry also raised eyebrows during a recent club appearance where she blasted her ex Brian, her Atomic Kitten bandmates and even her own kids – though she later insisted her comments were meant to be a joke.
Now insiders say the star is determined to put her health and happiness first. Kerry embraced singledom for eight months following her split from George, and credited a healthy new lifestyle for making her feel more positive than ever. The star also said meeting Real Housewives Of Cheshire star Ampika Pickston last October had put her on a happier path – even temporarily moving into Ampika’s home while she was appearing in panto. Speaking about their close bond, Kerry said, “Me and Ampika empower each other and support each other, stop the hate and spread the love.” She added, “My children and my two best friends Ampika and Danielle Brown – that’s all I need.”
Opening up to Closer before her relationship with Ryan this year, Kerry insisted, “I’m happy being in a relationship with me. If I were to get into a relationship again, they’ll have to be somebody really special now to win my love. I’ve been hurt so much.”
The source says, “Kerry said recently that she was struggling with her mental health and could feel herself pushing Ryan away. When she was single, she found so much strength and came to the conclusion that she didn’t need a man to be happy. It made her realise that if she and Ryan weren’t compatible, there was no point forcing it. She no longer hates the idea of being single and knows she needs to put her health and happiness first.
The source adds, “Friends are shocked by Kerry’s split as she’s always said that she hates being alone and loves having a man in her life. But as this latest breakup seems amicable and a grownup decision on Kerry’s part, pals hope it’s a sign she’s finally learning from her mistakes.”