EXCLUSIVE: Kerry Katona, 45, drops baby bombshell - 'a doting mum again'
Kerry Katona is already a doting mum to her brood of five but a source tells OK! that she'd love another baby with new boyfriend Paulo Margaglione - and they 'both want the same thing'
Broody Kerry Katona raised eyebrows after announcing she’d love a baby with her toyboy, Paolo Margaglione, but pals say her wish is driven by a fear that time is running out. The mum-of-five set tongues wagging last week after she revealed in her new column that she’s keen for another baby, saying, “I’m definitely open to having more kids – and I know my children would be happy for me, if that was the case.”
Now, a source has exclusively told OK! why the former Atomic Kitten singer feels the time is right to expand her brood. “Kerry feels like this is her last chance to have another baby,” claims our source. “She absolutely adores her family and loves her children. She always talks about them – they’re her pride and joy and her priority.”
Kerry, 45, shares daughters Molly, 24, and Lilly-Sue, 22, with first husband Brian McFadden, and Heidi, 18, and Max, 17, with second husband Mark Croft. Her youngest, 11-year-old daughter DJ, was fathered by her late husband, George Kay.
And our source claims that Kerry believes dad-of-two Paolo – who she fell for while appearing on reality show Celebs Go Dating earlier this year – would be perfect father material if she does decide to have another.
“With Paulo, she really feels like she’s met her soulmate,” they claim. “He would like more kids too – it feels like they both want the same thing. He just ticks all the boxes and she thinks he’d be a wonderful father.”
However, not everyone agrees that another baby would be a good idea, with some critics believing an extra child could pile on too much pressure – or even leave Kerry raising the tot alone if her romance with Paolo, 34, doesn’t go the distance.
“No Kerry, enjoy your life now, you’re too old for any more children,” one commented online, while another questioned what she’ll do if “things go wrong with her new boyfriend who she hasn’t been with that long”, adding that she’ll be “left with another child without a father”.
But those close to Kerry insist she won’t be thrown off course by any negative remarks, especially from online trolls. “Kerry doesn’t care what other people think,” our source claims.
“She’s always been strong-willed and she’s always followed her heart. A few negative comments from jealous trolls aren’t going to put her off doing what she wants to do. If she wants a baby with Paolo and she feels the time is right, then that’s her prerogative and she’ll go for it, come what may.
“She loves being a mum and with her eldest four now in their late teens and early twenties, she’s already worrying about empty-nest syndrome. A new baby would give her the opportunity to be a doting mum again.”
The star had previously hoped to have more children with her ex-fiancé and partner of six years, Ryan Mahoney. Last year, after tests following a cancer scare, Kerry told fans she’d still be able to carry a child naturally.
“When I went for my scan last week and got the all-clear, I was told that I’ve still got follicles – meaning I could have another baby,” she said, adding that if Ryan “wants another” they would “need to get a move on”. But the pair sadly split last November following what she claimed was “a breach of trust”.
Earlier this month, Kerry – who’s been on a UK tour with best pal Katie Price – opened up about how well her and Paolo’s respective families have bonded.
“This week I’ve been super busy touring, but I did have a day with Paolo and the kids, my lot and his two girls, which was lovely,” she told OK!. “I love spending time with his girls; it’s such a nice feeling to have little ones around again. We’ve blended our families together seamlessly, and everything fits into place perfectly.”
And our source adds that even though Kerry might find another baby challenging, she’s confident her support network would make life easier.
“She knows in her forties having a little one again would be really tiring, but her brood are a little older and she knows they’d be delighted and help her out when they can,” says our source. “Paolo, in Kerry’s eyes, is just perfect and wonderful father material – she’s seen it with her own eyes.”
But they warned that if Kerry does want another baby, then she may need to act fast, saying, “It feels like now or never, really.”
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