Kerry Katona has revealed that she contemplated suicide after being accused of being drunk during a 2008 interview on ITV's This Morning. The former Atomic Kitten singer, now 39, said she felt like a 'prisoner in her own home' following the incident, which she attributed to side effects from her bipolar medication.
Speaking on the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire show on Friday, Katona said: 'I wanted to take my own life, especially after the This Morning incident... when they thought I was drunk.' She explained that at the time, no one knew about her bipolar disorder, and the medication caused her to speak and act in a way that was misinterpreted.
The singer, who has since been clean from drugs and alcohol for years, returned to This Morning in 2018 to discuss the infamous interview with hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. She said she wanted to help others in similar situations, adding: 'I think I've done really well to overcome it.'
Katona also addressed her decision to share private messages with the late Caroline Flack on social media, expressing regret over making the correspondence public. She said: 'I don't know if I did the right thing by putting those messages up.' She became emotional as she added: 'Her death cannot be in vain... we have to stand together and show people what it is like for people like me and Caroline in this industry.'
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123 or via email at jo@samaritans.org.
