Michelle Heaton has revealed that her close friend Katie Price encouraged her to seek help for her struggles with alcohol and drugs. The former Liberty X singer, who is celebrating five years sober this year, shared the story on the On The Mend podcast.
Katie's Intervention at a Party
Heaton explained that she arranged to have a party with Price at a friend's house, where she intended to continue drinking. However, she was surprised to find Price sober. Price presented her with a binder from the Priory and asked her a series of questions about her feelings and behaviors, to which Heaton answered yes repeatedly. Price then told her she needed to go to rehab, but Heaton initially refused, citing that her husband Hugh had tried it a couple of years earlier.
Price went outside to speak with Hugh, while Heaton remained in the bedroom drinking vodka. She recalled thinking about how Price had managed to get sober, and that thought was enough for her to realize she needed help.
Health Scare and Recovery
In 2020, doctors warned Heaton that she was close to death as her liver was failing after years of excessive drinking. At the height of her struggles, she reported drinking two bottles of wine and a bottle of vodka daily, which led to her hospitalization in 2021.
Heaton has since expressed a newfound respect for her body, noting that she gets adequate sleep and works out regularly with her husband at their gym. She is keen to show others that recovery is possible, stating, "I'm living proof you can do it — even from rock bottom."
While celebrating five years of sobriety, Heaton remains vigilant and insists she is "over that" when asked about the temptation to drink.
