Kerry Katona has reflected on her time working with Rolf Harris, describing him as a "very grumpy old man" during their encounter on children's TV show SMTV: Live. Her comments come after the airing of a new documentary about the disgraced star titled Rolf Harris: Primetime Predator.
Coleen Nolan's Allegations
Writing in her New magazine column, Katona said: "I haven't seen the Rolf Harris documentary but I did see Coleen Nolan claiming that he'd repeatedly insist on 'kissing her on the lips' when she was 10." Nolan, a singer and TV personality, previously spoke on Loose Women about meeting Harris as a child. She stated: "I thought 'oh I don't like it if he goes to kiss me' because he always tried to kiss you on the lips. And with a ten-year-old that's just weird." Nolan added that she would swerve away to avoid his kisses, describing them as "always slightly mouth open."
Katona's Experience on SMTV
Katona, who worked with Harris once on SMTV, recalled: "All I remember was a very grumpy old man." Despite the disturbing allegations, she expressed confidence in her own children's ability to navigate showbiz, saying: "I don't worry about my kids if they were to go into showbiz though - they're so emotionally mature. They know more about boundaries than I ever did at their age!"
Nolan Family Reaction
Speaking about her sisters in The Nolans, Coleen Nolan revealed their reaction when Harris's crimes became public: "When it all came out into the public domain and everything was talked about and discussed, their instinct was 'oh I'm not surprised.' Whereas I was like: 'What? Rolf Harris? Because to me he was, when I was 10, obviously, he was fun, he played the instruments and loved animals. So I never picked up on that apart from the kissing side of things.'"
Katona's Current Projects
Elsewhere in her column, Katona discussed her recent work: "By the time you read this, I'll have finished my run of Super Troopers. I loved it so much, but it took a lot out of me - especially juggling it with other projects and just being a mum!" She also mentioned upcoming Pride appearances and a planned break in August to spend time with her partner Paolo and children. "I've been in fight or flight mode for 44 years and now I have a really special set-up with my family - I want to stop and appreciate that," she said.
