Katie Price 'Deeply Upset' with Kerry Katona Over Marriage Comments
Katie Price has reportedly told friends she is deeply "upset" with her longtime pal Kerry Katona, after Kerry branded Price's controversial new marriage a "saga" she refuses to be drawn into. The tension follows a recent holiday in Dubai that allegedly descended into chaos, putting their friendship of over two decades at risk.
Dubai Holiday Descends into Alleged Altercation
Trouble flared last week after Kerry Katona was questioned about her ill-fated trip to Dubai in February to meet Katie Price's fourth husband, Lee Andrews. Although an Instagram snap showed both couples smiling and looking cosy together in swimwear, the Valentine's getaway reportedly turned sour after Lee "threw some punches", striking Kerry's boyfriend Paolo Margaglione on the head.
Kerry later stated Paolo had to return home "urgently" due to a work commitment. Reflecting on the trip, a fed-up sounding Kerry, 45, hit back, saying she was "bored" with all the drama. "I don't wanna talk about Kate. I don't wanna talk about Lee. I'm not interested in this saga," she said. "I'm not gonna be pulled in. I'm not gonna give it any oxygen. I'm in a good place."
Friendship Strained Over Honest Opinions
Neither confirming nor denying the alleged altercation between Lee and Paolo, Kerry continued, "Kate can do what she wants. She's a grown-a** woman. That's all I have to say. It's boring now. I am so over it. Can we have a new drama?" After months spent fielding claims and criticisms about her new husband, Katie Price – who famously bonded with Kerry during their time in the I'm A Celebrity jungle in 2004 – was reportedly disappointed by her pal's remarks.
"They're old, old friends, so Katie is upset," a source revealed. "She is really sick of people saying Lee is a fake and is very, very protective of him, as we've seen. So, yeah, she is hurt. But they've been here before and they'll be here again."
The source added that Kerry is also upset, as Lee was very rude to Kerry's boyfriend and she won't tolerate it. "She is very strong and she won't take any baloney off Katie. She is just saying what everyone is feeling and thinking. She can't pretend she likes the man and she thinks Katie's going to be made a fool of."
Kerry's Blunt Approach and Katie's Defense
A significant part of the problem, according to the source, is that Kerry won't pull any punches when it comes to Katie, 47, and her new relationship. Even if it risks their friendship, the former Atomic Kitten singer won't bite her lip if she feels wronged. "Kerry is not one to tread on eggshells around Katie," the source said. "She says it as it is. Men come and go, but friends always stick together – Kerry always says that line."
In the aftermath of the alleged fisticuffs at a Dubai beach club, Katie Price insisted no such altercation occurred. Addressing the scandal on social media, she even told fans that Kerry and Paolo, 34, will be special guests at her and Lee's second wedding in the UK. "One thing I will clear up, there has not been any punch-up, punches thrown, between Lee and Paolo," she stated in her Instagram Stories. "If anything, we had a good day and celebrated with them." She also defended Lee as a "teddy bear" who has never been aggressive towards her.
Background of the Controversial Marriage
Katie stunned friends and family back in January when she announced she'd married self-proclaimed millionaire Lee Andrews just days after they first met. Almost immediately, several of the businessman's exes publicly warned Katie off him, with his former fiancée Alana Percival, 32, advising her to "run for the hills".
Future of the Friendship
Despite the current rift over Lee, the source believes Katie and Kerry will eventually iron out their differences. "They will be alright, because sadly Katie hasn't got many friends and she needs Kerry," the source explained. "I think Kerry's the last friend standing. No one knows Katie better than she does, so she'll always be there for her. But at the same time she'll always speak her mind and, right now, she's not happy with her."
Despite wanting to distance herself from Katie's latest drama, mum-of-five Kerry last week stressed that she's still there for her pal. "All I can say is, I love Kate," she said. "I love her to bits." As for Katie, the source believes that while she's upset with Kerry, she's so besotted with Lee she won't be cross for long. "She really is smitten with him and I think she thinks they can conquer the world together," the source noted. "So at the minute, Katie doesn't feel she needs another friend – because she's got him."
Worryingly, the source suggested Kerry may be the one who'll have to pick up the pieces if the former glamour model's marriage doesn't go the distance. "That's the sadness of it. When it all goes belly up – and I think it will – she'll come back crying to Kerry," the source said. "She knows she needs Kerry, so she's not going to slag her off publicly. And they've been down this road before – they've had their fallings-out, but they'll always come back together."
