She was pictured hand-in-hand with her boyfriend JJ Slater when she headed off to Turkey to undergo more surgery last week, keeping up the appearance of their happy relationship.
Katie Price, 46, was believed to be making yet another trip to the surgeon’s table to undergo a minor eyelift and have her ears pinned back, less than one year after her 17th boob job and a sixth facelift which reportedly cost £10,000.
But a source tells Closer this may be one of Katie and 32-year-old JJ’s last trips together as things aren’t going well behind the scenes.
Our insider says, ‘JJ has accompanied Katie to Turkey despite making it very clear he doesn’t think she needs this surgery. But he’s no exception to any of Katie’s past relationships - he’s a doormat and he’s feeling the dirt being wiped off – he feels he’s last on Katie’s pecking order of importance.'
‘JJ’s even told friends Katie invests more time on sunbeds or getting her nails done than their relationship and he’d like some more alone time. He feels like he’s become the designated driver and a part-time manny – to her menagerie of animals.’
Katie started dating JJ early last year after watching him on Married At First Sight UK in 2023 and reaching out to him to discuss his diabetes condition. In an interview with Closer in December, Katie said things with JJ were going ‘really well’, adding, ‘He’s like part of the furniture now – part of the family.’
But earlier this month, the former glamour model sparked rumours the pair had split after sharing a quote on social media which read, ‘She’s learned that constantly shrinking herself to make others comfortable only leads to losing the most important relationship of all – her relationship with herself… She’s no longer afraid of losing others – she’s finally found herself.’
Our source adds, ‘JJ has no say in their relationship, Katie does what Katie wants and has made it very clear that if he doesn’t like it, she’ll show him the door. His friends see no future for them.’
The source explains that tensions have been especially high recently due to mum-of-five Katie’s return to screens in a two-part documentary about having IVF with her ex-fiancé Carl Woods.
‘Making Babies was an absolute mug off,’ the source continues. ‘Katie did watch it despite claiming she wouldn’t. But JJ’s too nice, he hates confrontation and drama - though he’s tired of the constant drama and negative press that Katie courts. He’s become her ‘Sideshow Bob’ and even his family have told him they’re ready for him when he needs to come home.'
‘He’s confided in his close friends that while Katie lives for the drama, he needs peace in his life and a love that’s real - not just for when she wants a boyfriend on her arm.’
Meanwhile, the mum-of-five left fans worried when she admitted she’d had her lungs checked over due to fears she would develop her mum Amy’s terminal illness idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) after becoming addicted to vaping.
Speaking on a podcast, she said, ‘I’m getting my lungs checked where my mum went, not because I think there’s something wrong but because of what my mum had.’
Discussing her initial appointment, Katie continued, ‘When [the doctor] was on the phone to me, he said if anyone was going to start anything – smoking or vaping – even though he advises none, he said smoke and not vape because these are so bad for you and now a lot of people are having lung conditions because of these.'
‘You’d think me knowing that I wouldn’t do it, but I’m still here, I’ve got three in case I lose one. I’m addicted; I’ve never been addicted to anything but to these I am.’
And Bluecrest Wellness Chief Medical Officer Dr Martin Thornton tells Closer that Katie may have reason to be worried.
Dr Martin says, ‘A family history of IPF could increase Katie’s risk. Studies suggest that 20 to 30 per cent of patients with IPF have a family history of pulmonary fibrosis.
‘Genetics can also play a role. Certain genetic mutations affect how the cells inside our lung walls work and can result in patients developing the condition.
‘Though vaping is a relatively new practice, research shows that it can cause concern. While it’s often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, studies show it can still irritate the lungs and cause inflammation. This, combined with a family history of the disease, could increase Katie’s risk.’