Kerry Katona has publicly rejected a social media accusation that her new partner, Paolo Margaglione, is with her for publicity, saying the couple's 12-year age gap “doesn't bother” her and that he has been “supportive.”
The 45-year-old former Atomic Kitten singer and television personality and Margaglione, 33, who appeared on E4's Celebs Go Dating, addressed the criticism during an Instagram video in which they answered questions about their relationship. When a viewer suggested Paolo was “only with Kerry for the fame,” Katona dismissed the claim, saying their connection is genuine and that Margaglione has been a support to her.
In the video, Katona said, “If anything, he's been more supportive of me because I'm the one who has struggled with it more than anything.” She added that when people observe their interactions, “they understand it's not about anything other than that.” Paolo, who is a father of two, responded to a question about the age gap by endorsing her view, saying, “I second that.”
Katona also spoke about becoming a stepmother, describing the role positively and saying the children had “brought the best of us out.” She told viewers she had “never been this happy ever in my entire life,” and that she felt she had everything she had wanted.
The couple reportedly met while appearing on Celebs Go Dating; Katona has been publicly linked with a number of partners since her split from Ryan Mahoney in November 2024. The pair have also been appearing together on a touring stage show billed as "An Evening with Katie Price & Kerry Katona," a tell-all performance in which they discuss their lives and careers.
An episode from the tour drew attention when Katona's friend and co-star Katie Price said on Snapchat that they had been asked to leave their hotel early on the morning of a performance. Price posted that hotel staff knocked on their door and told them to vacate the room, then added that they were waiting at the theatre several hours ahead of the show.
Katona's Instagram response follows a pattern of public scrutiny surrounding celebrity relationships formed on reality television and through social media. On-screen pairings from programmes such as Celebs Go Dating often prompt public commentary about motives, age differences and family dynamics. In this case, Katona and Margaglione used their own social channels to rebut a characterisation of their relationship and to offer a summary of their current domestic life.
Neither Katona nor Margaglione has provided additional documentation about their relationship beyond the social media footage and public appearances. Their comments on the video reflect their personal accounts of the relationship and the role Margaglione plays as a parent in their blended household. The couple continues to make public appearances while on the joint tour with Price.