By all accounts, it’s been a ropey old year for Kerry Katona.
The pop star, 37, split from her toyboy lover James English, saw her teenage daughter move to Ireland to study, and parted company with her Atomic Kitten bandmates.
And now, just to put the icing on the cake, she’s had to pull out of the Christmas panto she’s starring in.
The Scouse star has been playing the evil Queen Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty at Manchester’s Middleton Arena (and rather too well, it seems – more about that later).
But she was forced to let her fans down when she was struck down by illness just before last night’s performance.
Like a lot of people at this time of year, the mum-of-five is suffering from a throat infection – in this case pharyngitis.
And after missing last night’s performance, she tweeted a picture of herself in full costume, along with a message saying: “Very poorly but plodding alone [sic]!!!”
She also took to Instagram, where she thanked her fellow cast members for covering her.
In a huge typeface, she wrote: “A big big thank you to the most amazing cast for yesterday’s show as I have pharyngitis and was unable to perform!!! But back today on antibiotics!!!”
And her followers didn’t hesitate to offer their support (well, at least that’s something).
Read more: Kerry Katona stuns fans with “scary” picture of daughter Lilly-Sue
One told the star: “Look after yourself and get well in time for Christmas.”
Another added: “You’re a real trooper Kerry. Get well soon and get plenty of rest when you can.”
Kerry has been giving it her all since landing the role of the evil fairy godmother – so much so that she’s reportedly been told to rein her wickedness in a bit, as it’s scaring little children.
A source told the Daily Star: “Kerry loves acting and throws herself into the role. She thought by being mean and loud, the crowd would love it.
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“But for some of the little ones, it’s been too much and they’ve burst into tears.”
Sleeping Beauty runs at the Middleton Arena until 27th December.