Kerry Katona: I am an alcoholic

After weeks of denials, Kerry Katona has admitted that she does have a problem with alcohol.

Rumours began to swirl after Kerry’s infamous slurred interview on This Morning last month but the former Atomic Kitten insisted her condition was caused by medication for her bipolar disorder. She even pledged to undergo medical testing to prove she wasn’t an alcoholic but now admits she is one.

She told the People newspaper: “Four years ago I was diagnosed as an alcoholic after a stay in The Priory clinic. This is not common knowledge as I’ve never admitted it before.

“Along with my bipolar disorder this is an ongoing battle I will face for the rest of my life. Yes, I still have a drink when I want to, like any other 28-year-old woman.

“During my worst drinking bouts I’d easily knock back ten to 15 shots of vodka or peach schnapps.

“I can get through days without having a drink but it’s hard. I can never promise myself or my family that I can beat this addiction but I’ll try bloody hard.

“I take one day at a time now. I haven’t been to AA because I believe I’m controlling the drink not the other way around.

“I believe I have my illness under control because my first priority is to my children and husband. I remember my mum Sue taking me to the pub and I would fall asleep under coats. I don’t want mine to remember me in the same way.

“By coming forward I hope to help people in a similar position to find the courage to fight this destructive addiction.”

But she and husband Mark Croft still insist that she wasn’t drunk on This Morning, with Mark explaining: “The night before the interview Kerry only had one drink - a vodka and Red Bull at around 11pm while she was filming another TV show.

“Her slurring was purely down to the medication she took later that night for her bipolar disorder.

“I would say she only drinks about twice a month, if that. We are quite boring people really.”