Heartbroken Katie Price leans on Kerry Katona and Peter Andre

The mum-of-five was devastated when her eldest son was taken into intensive care. But the former glamour model’s old pals have rallied round

Kerry Katona Katie Price Peter Andre

by Daisy McLure |
Updated on

In what was one of the most frightening weeks of her life, as her disabled son Harvey was rushed to hospital, Katie has rallied trusted friends to give her the help and support she needs.

Eighteen-year-old Harvey was taken into intensive care in Epsom Hospital in Surrey with an unknown virus after struggling to breathe last week, with the heartbroken mum of five admitting his condition was “very serious” and “complex” due to his multiple health conditions.

It was his second visit to hospital in two weeks after being diagnosed with a chest infection the first time. Harvey suffers from health complications including the rare genetic condition Prader-Willi syndrome, which can cause weight gain and challenging behaviour. He’s also partially blind and on the autistic spectrum.

Harvey is the apple of his mum’s eye, with the former glamour model recently opening up about their unbreakable bond. She has raised Harvey alone after his dad, former footballer Dwight Yorke, split with her during her pregnancy and, according to her, hasn’t seen him since he was a toddler.

“He’s the only child that no one can ever try to take away from me. The others have their dads, but it’s reassuring for me that he’s always by my side,” said the 41-year-old.

She added, “I do think Harvey was sent to me for a reason. I’ve always had a caring side and wanted to look after someone. Sometimes I think it was meant to be.”

Katie has sought comfort from her new man and former Love Islander Carl Woods, 31, with whom she confirmed her romance earlier this month, calling him her “future hubby” and bragging he is her “best ever lover.”

The pair were pictured visiting a pet store in Surrey last week, and she even took to Instagram to call him her “chosen stallion”, in a post she later deleted.

But she has also found support from past alliances, including ex-husband Peter Andre and her longtime pal Kerry Katona – during this incredibly trying time. Katie’s daughter with Pete, Princess, was holidaying with Kerry, 39, last week, as the former Atomic Kitten star took the 13-year-old and her own children to the Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent and then stayed the night in nearby holiday rental in a pre-planned trip.

Gallery

Atomic Kitten - where are they now?

Atomic Kitten1 of 9
CREDIT: Getty images

Atomic Kitten

Glam girl band Atomic Kitten were formed in 1998, but it wasn't until 1999 that their unforgettable debut single 'Right Now' landed in the UK Top 10 music charts. They split in 2004, but came back on stage for a reunion in 2014. Check out where each of the band members are now...

Kerry Katona THEN2 of 9
CREDIT: Getty images

Kerry Katona THEN

Founding member Kerry Katona broke all of our hearts when she announced her decision to leave the band to focus on marriage and family. She wed Westlife singer Brian McFadden in 2002, with whom she shares her eldest daughters, Molly Marie and Lilly-Sue.

Kerry Katona NOW3 of 9
CREDIT: Getty images

Kerry Katona NOW

The next decade for Kerry involved becoming the queen of supermarket chain Iceland, then losing lots of money (weep), a string of unhappy marriages and alleged drunk binges - ahem, who remembers THAT infamous 2008 This Morning Interview? But by 2018, the mum-of-four had turned her life around and in 2019, she was even ready to look for love again, appearing on Celebs Go Dating. Alas, Kerry didn't find the one during her time on the show, but she is currently bossing life as a working mum. Go, Kerry.

Liz McClarnon THEN4 of 9
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Liz McClarnon THEN

Liz McClarnon NOW5 of 9
CREDIT: Getty images

Liz McClarnon NOW

While she's not as regular a telly guest as the likes of her fellow band members, Liz McClarnon has still starred in Celebrity Masterchef (which she won with her delicious dishes) and remains in the TV and music industry. Keeping a low profile eh, Liz?

Jenny Frost THEN6 of 9
CREDIT: Getty Images

Jenny Frost THEN

Jenny from the block had been a member of the girl band Precious before she replaced Kerry Katona in 2001, when she was just 23. The singer stuck with the band until their split in 2004.

Jenny Frost NOW7 of 9
CREDIT: Getty images

Jenny Frost NOW

After she ditched the er, very sheer tops and parted ways from Atomic Kitten, Jenny Frost developed a successful career as a TV presenter across hit shows like BBC 3's 'Snog Marry Avoid' - who else remembers this legendary makeover show?

Natasha Hamilton THEN8 of 9
CREDIT: Getty images

Natasha Hamilton THEN

Natasha joined Atomic Kitten in 1999, replacing original band member Heidi Range - who was with the group before any songs were released. The original mutl-tasking mum, Natasha even decided to take her baby with her on the 2003 tour with Atomic Kitten. Absolute goals.

Natasha Hamilton NOW9 of 9
CREDIT: Getty images

Natasha Hamilton NOW

Since the '00s, Natasha Hamilton has been doing the rounds on the celebrity television circuit, with appearances on Celebrity Come Dine With Me, Celebrity Big Brother and First Dates. Plus, she's now a mummy to four kids - and she followed in Gwyneth Paltrow's footsteps by eating her placenta.

Peter Andre Katie Price Kerry Katona
Kerry grew close to Katie and Pete during their stint in the jungle ©Shutterstock

Kerry starred in I’m A Celeb! with Jordan and Peter in 2004. And a source tells Closer Jordan was advised by experts during her stint in rehab last year – after she admitted being suicidal and taking drugs to self-medicate after a turbulent two years – that she should surround herself with good influences such as Kerry, who has turned her life around after having previously battled drug issues. Kerry’s also a born again Christian and is training to be a life coach.

The source says, “Katie has realised who her friends are in the past few weeks and she knows she can count on Kerry.

“They have never really fallen out but they were on different paths for a long time. Now they seem to be heading in the same direction – they’ve both left their boozy lifestyles behind and are adopting a cleaner, better family life. Katie sees Kerry as a good influence because of the way she has turned her life around so much, and Kerry has been giving her advice and guidance to do the same.”

Along with Kerry, Pete – who last week shared a praying hands emoji in a tribute to Harvey – has also been a pillar of strength for Katie. The pair recently turned a corner with their relationship, having spoken through mediators for years following their very public 2009 split. When a fan recently asked if they were on good terms, Pete replied, “We’re friends and she’s mummy, so of course.”

Pete last week told a friend on Instagram that the news about Harvey “breaks his heart”, leading Katie to reply, “I’ll keep you updated.”

Watch: Closer catches up with Peter Andre

The insider tells Closer, “Ironically, Pete has turned out to be one of Katie’s biggest supporters in her hour of need. He has really proved that Katie can trust him and lean on him and it’s been a massive help for her while Harvey is so ill. She can’t even begin to imagine what it would have been like if this happened just a few years ago when she and Pete didn’t speak.”

While Katie’s most recent ex, Kris Boyson, recently revealed she found it “hard to trust”, Carl has been pulling out all the stops to prove himself to his new girlfriend – admitting last week that they even shared passwords to social media “so there is no inboxing or messaging anyone [else]”.

But although she maintains a good relationship with Pete and her third husband Kieran Hayler – dad to Jett, six, and Bunny, five, who also posted well-wishes to Harvey – Katie isn’t on good terms with Kris, 31.

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After he posted a message about Harvey last week, saying “no matter what’s happened in the past I wish my little mate a speedy recovery”, Katie furiously claimed he had done so “for fame” and “to look good”, insisting he could have reached out to her privately.

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Her outburst came after Kris – who last week showed off a his ’n’ hers hair transplant with new girlfriend Bianca Gascoigne – called the police on Katie last month when she turned up on his doorstep to confront him following claims he had hinted at a reconciliation with her after he’d begun romancing Bianca.

The source adds, “Until now, Katie has always felt let down by people in her life. But even though this is undoubtedly the scariest time of her life, she says she has been blown away by the support everyone has given Harvey and it proves who has her best interests at heart, like Kerry, Pete and Kieran. She’s been passing on all the well-wishes to Harvey and telling him it proves just how special he is. She couldn’t be more proud of him.”

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