Why Kerry Katona’s fourth marriage will be for keeps

After troubled relationships, Kerry’s finally found her happy ending with Ryan Mahoney. Psychotherapist Noel McDermott reveals how

 Kerry katona

by Daisy McClure |
Updated on

She was as famous for her marriage woes and relationship dramas as she was for her music and TV career – but in recent years, Kerry Katona’s turned her life around and is happier than ever with personal trainer Ryan Mahoney.

The former Atomic Kitten star, who turns 40 this week, has been dating Ryan, 32 – who she met on Tinder – since 2018, after she split from her late third husband George Kay in 2016and stayed single for two years to get her life back on track.

Kerry Katona Ryan Mahoney
Kerry's happier than ever with Ryan ©Backgrid

The mum of five – who has bipolar disorder and has struggled with drug addiction in the past – has dubbed Ryan “the most caring, loving, supportive, driven, dedicated and loyal person” she’s even known. Just last week, she told fans just how happy she was, writing, “I’m so happy and grateful for everything and everyone in my life... past and present!”

Closer recently reported that Kerry had even been wondering about tying the knot with Ryan,with a source saying he “desperately wants to get married”, while she felt she had “finally found the right man” and was “able to picture being a wife again”.

Psychotherapist and life coach Noel McDermott tells us that he believes this relationship is for keeps and that a happy fourth marriage is in store for the formerly-troubled star.

He says, “It’s very different this time and seems much more likely to be long-term and real. While she may be understandably anxious about getting married for a fourth time, I really think that Kerry has had a transformation. If the next step for the couple is tying the knot or perhaps the joy of starting a family of their own, then Kerry seems to be in a great place to do so.

“A key change in this relationship is that she’s kept things reasonably low-key and a bit hidden from public view and taken it slowly. She’s paced herself, kept her emotions in check and been more rational. And there’s a power in privacy – what goes on between the two of you is the most important thing. Relationships aren’t for public validation.”

It’s a far cry from the highs and lows Kerry – who has Molly, 18, Lilly-Sue, 17, Heidi, 13, Max, 12, and Dylan-Jorge, six – has faced over the years. She married first husband – former Westlife star Brian McFadden – in 2002, after just three months of dating. However, they split after having Molly and Lilly in 2006 – with a heartbroken Kerry admitting she begged him to stay with her.

She then rebounded with second husband Mark Croft, who she married in 2007 and went on to star in her own reality show with. They broke up three years later after Kerry became bankrupt, and Mark later admitted he’d “bled her dry”. Kerry also claimed Mark had been her drug dealer and enabled her addiction – which he denied.

She got engaged to rugby player George Kay in 2013 after six months of dating and had daughter Dylan-Jorge, before getting married in 2014. But the pair split two years later, with Kerry claiming he’d been physically abusive towards her, which he strongly denied.He tragically died from a drugs overdose last July.

CHECK OUT Kerry Katona's relationship timeline

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Kerry Katona's husbands and boyfriends - where are they now? - slider

Kerry Katona and Brian McFadden1 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Kerry Katona and Brian McFadden

Kerry shot to fame in 1999, as 1/3 of pop band Atomic Kitten. It wasn't long before Kerry was swept into her first high-profile relationship – thanks to a well-timed tour with Irish crooners Westlife.During the tour, Kerry met Brian McFadden. Three months later he asked her to marry him.Shortly after he popped the question, Brian was quoted as saying: "Everything I plan, everything I do, revolves around Kerry. When I wake up in the morning, she's the first person I call."I've written a song about her called Fragile Heart. I write songs for Kerry every day, I get so much emotion thinking about her."It wasn't long before Kerry and Brian welcomed their first child: in August 2001, daughter Molly was born.

Kerry Katona and Brian McFadden2 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Kerry Katona and Brian McFadden

They married in the celebrity wedding of the year in 2002, surrounded by friends, family and a collection of the country's biggest celebrities.Just a year after becoming husband and wife, Kerry and Brian's second daughter, Lily-Sue, was born. But a lavish wedding and two babies weren't enough to keep them together.In 2004 they shocked fans with the announcement of their separation, and to say things didn't end amicably would be an understatement.

Kerry Katona and Brian McFadden3 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Kerry Katona and Brian McFadden

They've both since moved on and Brian admitted to The Irish Sun that his relationship with his ex-wife is the best it has ever been. He explained: "We don't speak about everyday stuff but we do work closely with anything to do with our kids, the same as most separated parents it's always about the kids."Our relationship is the best it has ever been. There are no fights or arguments, it's all good now. It's taken a long time to get there but I'm glad it's like that."

Brian McFadden4 of 26
CREDIT: Instagram / brianmcfadden123

Brian McFadden now

After splitting with Kerry, Brian went on to date Delta Goodrem for seven years, before marrying Vogue Williams in 2011. It was to last though and years after their divorce, he has now moved on to PE teacher Danielle Parkinson.Things appear to be moving in the right direction because after Kerry Katona shared a photo of herself with Danielle, she then told OK! magazine that Brian's new girlfriend is "an absolute diamond".

Ziggy aka Zak Lichman5 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Kerry Katona and Ziggy aka Zak Lichman

Back in 2007 it was reported that Kerry and Ziggy once dated. A source told Reveal magazine: "Zak loves partying and is a big character on the club scene, so they had a real laugh together. "It didn't last long because Kerry was definitely still on the rebound. She wanted to keep their relationship secret in case she got back together with Brian."However Kez has since denied it, which is a shame because he's fit.

Ziggy aka Zak Lichman6 of 26
CREDIT: Twitter / ziggylichman

Ziggy aka Zak Lichman now

It's safe to say that long gone are his reality TV days and now Ziggy - who goes by his real name Zac Lichman - is a doorman at a fancy club in the West End.

Dan Corsi7 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Kerry Katona and Dan Corsi

Kerry dated Northern Line boyband member Dan Corsi however things didn't work out and they soon split.

Dan Corsi8 of 26
CREDIT: Twitter / @corsihecan

Dan Corsi now

Following his days back in the 90s in the boyband Northern Line, Dan is now a DJ.

Kerry Katona and Dave Cunningham9 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Kerry Katona and Dave Cunningham

Soon after Kerry was engaged again – this time to Dave Cunningham. However their happiness was short lived, and they split after having huge bust-up in Spain.It was reported at the time that Dave had been seeing his ex-girlfriend behind Kerry's back, leaving her heartbroken.A source told the People: "Because her private life has been made public before, she made a pact not to discuss the split. She is desperately trying to put on a brave face."It's bad enough dealing with a traumatic break-up under normal circumstances never mind dealing with it when you're Kerry Katona."Again it wasn't long before Kerry had found comfort in the arms of a new man.

Kerry Katona and Dave Cunningham10 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Dave Cunningham now

Since their split Dave has been pretty M.I.A and despite their breakup it seemed that Kerry was still fond of him. She explained to Closer magazine how close he was to her daughters Molly and Lilly-Sue: "I don't know what Brian's doing from one day to the next - the girls hardly see him."They'd started to call Dave dad. He's so wonderful to the girls. He's been a dad to them and done so many amazing things because their dad isn't around."

Kerry Katona and Mark Croft11 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Kerry Katona and Mark Croft

Kerry and taxi driver Mark Croft married on Valentine's Day 2007. But their marriage was a controversial one – during their time together, Kerry, who was once worth an estimated £6.8 million, was declared bankrupt.Mark and Kerry have two children together, daughter Heidi and son Maxwell.

Kerry Katona and Mark Croft12 of 26

Kerry Katona and Mark Croft

It was also during her marriage to Mark that Kerry made her infamous This Morning appearance, when her slurring and erratic behaviour sparked concern with host Phillip Schofield and with viewers.Later it was revealed that Kerry was battling a cocaine addiction, and she's since admitted that she'd go on 'three-day coke binges' with Mark.She said: "I hated my life. I'd lie in bed for three days in a row doing cocaine with Mark. We did coke in our en suite and had a lock on the door. The kids knew if the bathroom door was locked they mustn't come in."

Kerry Katona and Mark Croft13 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Kerry Katona and Mark Croft

Kerry and Mark split in 2010, two years after she was declared bankrupt, and he later publicly admitted he 'bled her dry'.During an interview with the Daily Star, Kerry confessed she'd almost ended her life while married to Mark.But, she says having the names of her eldest daughters tattooed on her wrists stopped her, as it stopped her from self-harming."If I was ever to do that it would mean cutting through my kids' names. And what a selfish mother I would be to do that. Like any mother, my first love and priority are my children, above everything and everybody."

Kerry Katona and Mark Croft14 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Kerry Katona and Mark Croft

Following her split from Mark, Kerry attempted to rebuild her media career and avoided high profile relationships for a few years.Kez has recently admitted that just days before she accepted Mark's proposal she begged ex-husband Brian McFadden to take her back. She's said the only reason she married her second husband was because he was her mum's drug dealer and she "thought she was going to get drugs for free."

Mark Croft15 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Mark Croft now

Where is Mark Croft you ask? Well that's a pretty good question actually. Back in 2015 he was caught 'running a £50,000 cannabis farm' but since then he has fallen off the grid.

Kerry Katona and Steve Alce16 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Kerry Katona and Steve Alce

It seemed things were great between Kerry and Steve Alce after she told Closer magazine: "'I've never felt such love from somebody in my life. Steve is so perfect and I cant believe how lucky I am."We had an amazing time in Dubai but, after two messy marriages, I'm not desperate to get hitched again."But I'd never say never - Steve recently moved in and I finally feel so happy. We get on so well."However a month later she broke up with him. A source told The Sunday People: "She has made her mind up and Steve's pretty gutted. She is a party girl and loves being outrageous whereas he is a gentlemen."Kerry was smitten at first, she loved that he wasn't interested in all the celebrity glitz and glamour."Since then Steve has continued with his career as an artist.

Kerry Katona George Kay17 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Kerry Katona and George Kay

But in 2013 she met ex-rugby player George Kay, and it wasn't long before she gave birth to their first daughter together, Dylan-Jorge.George proposed to Kerry at the top of the Blackpool Tower in April 2013, and the got married in September 2014.

Kerry Katona George Kay18 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Kerry Katona George Kay

However shortly before their nuptials, George was detained under the Mental Health Act after having a 'breakdown' outside their home.At the time neighbours said he was 'running in and out of cars' and screaming "Kerry, they're going to f--king kill me. They are hitting me with a hammer."

Kerry Katona George Kay19 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Kerry Katona George Kay

Just two months after the wedding, it was reported Kerry and George were already on the rocks, and he himself admitted to Closer that marriage to Kerry 'isn't what he thought it would be'.Their marriage was rocked once again in June, when George was hospitalised with 'signs of a stroke'.According to reports, George's behaviour became too much for Kerry to cope with and the couple briefly split.Soon after they seemed to be firmly back on track, with them renewing their wedding vows to 'save the relationship'.

Kerry Katona George Kay20 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Kerry Katona George Kay

Following a turbulent and alleged violent relationship, George and Kerry wasn't to last and in June 2017 the pair announced they'd split for the final time. Since then, Kerry has revealed she used to drink three BOTTLES of Cava a night during her marriage to George.

George Kay21 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

George Kay now

Months after serving Kerry Katona with divorce papers, George moved on and begandating Miss Manchester pageant winner Fatime Gashi.George sadly passed away in July 2019 aged 39.

Kerry Katona James Englgish22 of 26
CREDIT: Instagram / kerrykatona7

Kerry Katona and James Englgish

Just a few months after her split with her third husband, Kerry moved on to stand up comedian James English. Things got slightly bizarre when he spoke out about their relationship in an interview and said he's "using her" for fame, before describing her as "f--ked up".Riiight.A few months after confirming their relationship, Kerry deleted all traces of James on Instagram and announced they'd split by writing a quote about single life.

James English23 of 26
CREDIT: Instagram / jamesenglish2

James English now

The former Glow star has since launched his own podcast called Anything Goes.

Kerry Katona single24 of 26
CREDIT: Instagram / kerrykatona7

Kerry Katona single

Following her not-so-good-luck with me, Kerry Katona started 2018 single and with an INCREDIBLE body. An insider told Closer magazinethat the mum-of-five is happy being single. They explained: "Kerry has always hopped from one relationship to the next, but something has changed and she's now comfortable without a man. "She doesn't want just anyone - she says she'd rather hold out for someone decent, who respects her and can take care of her and the kids. She's learned her lessons from the past."Go Kerry!

Kerry Katona and Ryan Mahoney25 of 26
CREDIT: Instagram / Ryan Mahoney

Kerry Katona and Ryan Mahoney

In July 2018, Kerry told her Instagram followers that she was "officially spoken for". Her hunky new beau was fitness instructor Ryan Mahoney. The good looking pair apparently met on dating app Bumble.

Ryan Mahoney26 of 26
CREDIT: Instagram / Ryan Mahoney

Ryan Mahoney

Ryan and Kerry split in October 2018 following a make-or-break holiday in Thailand. Kerry had posted a selfie of her and a fit looking Ryan days after ranting about "fat" Brian McFadden . They reconciled following Kerry's appearance on Celebs Go Dating in 2019.

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Speaking to Closer after her split from George, Kerry said,“I’ve got to focus on myself now. 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. My children are my number one.”

Four months after meeting Ryan, she put the brakes on their romance, saying at the time, “Ryan was lovely… but I’ve been through so much heartbreak that I just don’t see the point. I don’t want to let anybody in. I’ve gone from two extremes – marrying men and having babies to now cutting them off when it gets serious.”

However, the pair rekindled their relationship six months later and she told us last December, “Ryan is unlike anyone I’ve dated. He’s very quiet, very private, very shy – the complete opposite to me really... It’s a normal relationship and it took me a while to get used to that. I’m extremely happy.”

Examining how Kerry was able to turn her life around, psychotherapist Noel says that, of all the changes that she made, the most important of them was breaking her ‘love addiction’ cycle.

He says, “Kerry previously had co-dependency issues and ‘addiction’ to being in a relationship, but she’s turned things around. In the past, it seemed she used relationships and love to help ‘fix’ her – to complete her life, rather than complement it. It was a toxic cycle that she needed to break in order to find happiness.

“The best thing she did was take time to work on herself, step back from dating, and remain single for long enough to be able to learn to accept herself and become truly comfortable with just being on her own.

Closer mag
Read more in this week's Closer mag, out now ©Closer mag

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“Being alone means you can reflect, deal with the pain of past relationships, and assess and identify what went wrong in the past. It seems Kerry came to realise that she really would be all right on her own, or, if she were to meet someone new, what she was really looking for in a partner.

“The fact that she jokes about her past relationship mistakes in a light-hearted way shows she has acknowledged and accepted her past behaviour, and recognised it was wrong.

“It seems that Ryan is very different from her previous partners and is right for her, so their relationship has progressed at a steady pace and organically. She deserves this happiness.”

Read more in this week's Closer mag, out now

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