Kerry Katona has opened up about her ex-husband, Westlife’s Brian McFadden, emotionally sharing how she really feels while looking back on their 2002-2004 marriage
In a recent interview, former Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona, 45, spoke candidly about her relationship with ex-husband Brian McFadden, 46, revealing he was the “first person who genuinely cared about my well-being”, while also admitting he’s not fond of her speaking publicly about their romantic history.
Kerry is now in a relationship with fitness influencer Paolo Margaglione, whom she first met on E4’s Celebs Go Dating in April 2025, while Brian married his third wife, Danielle Parkinson, last year.
Pop singer Brian, who is appearing on a special charity edition of ITV’s Tipping Point for Soccer Aid on Monday evening hosted by Ben Shephard, was married to Kerry from 2002 to 2004.
The pair, who have two daughters together, Molly Marie and Lily-Sue, initially met in 1999 and became engaged just months later. While their marriage ultimately ended, Kerry looked back on her time with the Westlife heartthrob with fondness.
Speaking openly on Paul C. Brunson’s We Need To Talk podcast, which was released last year, Kerry revealed she felt cherished throughout their time together.
She recalled: “He was so funny and he really loved me. We were so in love, Paul, (he was) so affectionate and it was great.”
In a touching reflection, she confessed that Brian was the first individual who demonstrated real care for her wellbeing, explaining: “I think he was the first proper person who genuinely cared about my well-being. Do you know what I mean? I told him what happened in my life. He said ‘I’m going to take you away from all that.’ He was my knight in shining armour.”
Yet Kerry also disclosed that Brian dislikes her discussing their past publicly: “He rescued me, I don’t mind (talking about it), I know he doesn’t like it. And you know, that’s part of my story.” Kerry and Brian shared a three-year relationship before tying the knot in 2002, though their marriage lasted just two years and they separated acrimoniously in 2004.
The singer disclosed on the podcast she felt “mortified” after discovering Brian had allegedly been unfaithful in the run-up to their wedding.
The former pair seem to have reconciled their differences, as they reunited last year to celebrate their daughter Molly’s 24th birthday.
In a touching Instagram post showing the trio marking the occasion together, Kerry wrote: “How on earth is my first born 24 today! ! ! ! ! Happy birthday my beautiful baby girl. I honestly cannot express how proud I am of the woman you’ve turned out to be….”
Kerry went on to marry twice more – to taxi driver Mark Croft from 2007 to 2011, followed by rugby league player George Kay, who tragically died at the age of 39 in 2019, following their 2017 divorce. She has five children across her three marriages.
Brian has also remarried on two further occasions. He tied the knot with reality TV star Vogue Williams in 2012, with the relationship ending in 2015 before their divorce was completed two years later.
He then married PE teacher Danielle Parkinson in an intimate July 2025 ceremony held in Newquay, Cornwall. The couple welcomed a daughter in May 2021.
Brian McFadden is appearing alongside comedian Maisie Adam and football commentator Sam Matterface on Tipping Point for Soccer Aid, which airs Monday 25 May at 5pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with the trio playing for £10,000 to support children around the world.
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