Kerry Katona said she has "never been this happy" after meeting personal trainer Paolo Magaglione, 33, on the Channel 4 show Celebs Go Dating, while he denied claims that he is seeking fame.
The pair, who began filming the series in April, have said they moved in together about two months after meeting and invited questions from followers in an Instagram video featuring Katona's daughter Heidi reading viewers' comments. Some fans raised concerns about the 12-year age gap and the speed of the relationship, suggesting Paolo was "fame hungry." Heidi read one comment aloud and sarcastically quipped that Paolo was "just fame hungry," to which he jokingly agreed before both Katona and Paolo dismissed the accusation.
Katona, 45, told viewers that Paolo had been supportive and that the relationship had brought new energy to her household, which already includes five children: Molly, 24; Lilly-Sue, 22; Heidi, 18; Maxwell, 17; and Dylan-Jorge, 11. Paolo has two young daughters. "I've never been this happy ever in my entire life," she said, adding that she felt she had "everything and more" in the relationship. Paolo echoed the sentiment, saying he felt the same.
In the Instagram exchange, Paolo said that once people observe the couple's connection, they would understand the relationship is based on that bond rather than celebrity. He told viewers that being a devoted father and seeking stability meant he did not need anything from fame or attention. On the Channel 4 show, Paolo described his daughters as making him feel "the richest man in the world" and said he had been "fully transparent from the beginning."
Footage from Celebs Go Dating showed a tense introduction between Paolo, Katona's daughter Heidi and Heidi's friend Danielle Brown, who is the sister of Spice Girl Mel B. Danielle asked Paolo how he would handle Katona's public profile and whether his intentions were genuine. Paolo replied with assurances about his priorities and described the importance of open conversations to build trust. Danielle later said Paolo knew how Katona liked to spend a weekend, prompting her approval.
Katona has also spoken openly about the intensity of the relationship. In an interview with The Sun she described their physical chemistry as "unbelievable" and said the feelings left her giddy. The couple said they make time for each other around family commitments, arranging evenings together when the children are present during the day.
The relationship follows Katona's split from fitness trainer Ryan Mahoney in November after four years together; at the time she said he had moved out following a breach of trust. Ahead of appearing on Celebs Go Dating, Katona posted an optimistic message about finding someone who treats a partner with love and respect. In a recent column she said she was no longer heartbroken and described being single as an opportunity to be in a strong relationship with herself.
Producers began filming the current series of Celebs Go Dating in April, and the couple's appearances on the programme have drawn both support and scepticism from viewers. Paolo and Katona have consistently rejected suggestions that the relationship is staged for publicity and presented their interaction and family blending as evidence of a genuine partnership.