Ex-Love Island host Caroline Flack finds unlikely pal in Kerry Katona as she faces her ‘demons’ ahead of assault trial
THEY may seem like unlikely allies, but beleaguered Caroline Flack has forged a friendship with troubled Kerry Katona.
The ex-Atomic Kitten singer found common ground with the former Love Island presenter, who is facing assault charges after being involved in a bloody bust-up with boyfriend Lewis Burton.
Kerry knows what it’s like to have a private life played out in public and the effect it can have on a showbiz career.
She said: “It makes me angry at how this industry works. No one knows what went on behind those closed doors. I am not going to judge Caroline at all.
Kerry also said it was more difficult for a woman to come back from setbacks.
Kerry said: “I applaud Ant McPartlin. I adore him. He’s done f***ing amazing to pull it all back.”
“But I think it is different for a man than it is for a woman. Within eight months of him crashing his car under the influence, into another with a little girl in it, he is winning awards.
“Then there’s me on This Morning, slurring my words due to mental health medication. I am still to this day crawling back up that ladder.
“I think with Caroline it’s different because she’s a woman. When we mess up, we have a hard time with it.”
Caroline stood down as host of Winter Love Island after her fracas with Lewis at her London home last month.
But Kerry thinks Caroline could still make a spectacular return to the show, which saw Laura Whitmore step in as presenter at the last minute.
Speaking at Liverpool’s Skinny Jab shop on Friday, Kerry said: “I’d like to see her back. I think everyone can pull through.”
But she added: “I think Laura has done an amazing job. I’d worry if I was Caroline, seeing it . . . she’s doing a good job, they are not going to take me back.’”
True, but I wouldn’t share that in your pep talks with Caroline.
'See her coming a mile off
CHELSEE Healey steps out in style in sparkly stocking boots and a matching glittery headscarf as she enjoys a night out in Manchester.
The Hollyoaks actress, who has played Goldie McQueen on the C4 soap for the past four years, hit the tiles with local singer Michelle McKenna.
She posted a pic of her outfit on Instagram, writing cryptically: “If I say I’m down for you . . . and you only.”
Hopefully they know what that means.
Must watch
WHAT? 999: What’s Your Emergency? Channel 4, 9pm.
WHY? Return of the show which follows the rollercoaster ride that is an average day for the emergency services in Northamptonshire.
Smut levels on the rise
CRAZY Delicious may be a new-look cookery show, but it’s still got lashings of old-fashioned innuendo.
Forget Bake Off’s soggy bottoms, contestants on the Channel 4 series – which boasts Heston Blumenthal as a judge – take smut to a new level on tomorrow night’s first episode.
Competitors can pick, pluck and snip from a garden which contains edible blossom and chocolate soil to a drinkable babbling brook of champagne.
But my favourite moment is when chef Niklas Ekstedt tells one contestant: “That’s a good size sausage you’ve got going on there.”
They should rename it Crazy Salacious.
Nic puts lies fans in dark
FANS of Big Little Lies won’t be too pleased with Nicole Kidman's response when she was asked about a new series.
The dark drama has been shown on Sky Atlantic, but she was evasive when quizzed about a third helping, and suggested they should talk to Reese Witherspoon.
At the 31st Annual Producers Guild Awards she said: “You’ll have to ask Reese. What would it take? It would take a great story.”
Nicole revealed co-stars, including Laura Dern and Zoe Kravitz were pursuing other projects, so the cast would prove tricky to bring back together.
I suggest no one holds their breath.
bizbit
THE makers of Netflix smash-hit The Crown were filming at The Savoy in London last week.
They recreated Princess Diana's appearance at the Dr Barnardo’s Champion Children Awards at the famous hotel in 1988.
Strictly Stef in let-off
SHE faced the sack after boasting about drugs last year but Strictly Come Dancing’s celeb booker Stefania Aleksander is keeping her job.
BBC1 bosses had warned she could be shown the door after joking about cocaine on social media in May.
Her closeness to male stars including love-rat comedian Seann Walsh also earned her a rap on the knuckles.
A source said: “Stef wasn’t expected to keep her job. It’s a family show and her behaviour wasn’t acceptable.
“But she impressed bosses with how she handled this year’s stars and was on her best behaviour.
“She was warned about her social media content and about her friendships with the celebs before the last series started – and she did toe the line. It was enough for bosses to give her another chance and they’ve let her stay on.”
bizbit
SUNDAY Brunch presenter Tim Lovejoy wondered if he might be fired after becoming spectacularly tongue-tied introducing guest Jason Manford, leaving co-host Simon Rimmer and the crew in fits of giggles.
A white hot hit
TRUE-crime thriller White House Farm has become ITV’s biggest new drama launch in almost a year.
It tells the story of how Jeremy Bamber, played by Freddie Fox , killed his family in 1985, then tried to pin the crime on his sister, Sheila Caffell, played by Prince Harry's former girlfriend Cressida Bonas.
MOST READ IN TV & SHOWBIZ
For the first episode, on January 8, 4.7million people tuned in. And it was seen by a further 3.3million on catch-up.
The series continues on Wednesday at 9pm.
bizticker
- Alfie Allen parties with Stranger Things cast at Screen Actors Guild Awards bash
- Kym Marsh denies she is Masked Singer’s Fox
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]