It was just over a month ago that Kerry Katona happily confirmed her new romance with Scottish comedian James English.
The mother of five was seen kissing ex reality star James at London’s Gatwick Airport in September, and he later confessed to being “in love” with her.
So it comes as a shock to see Kerry, 37, and James, 33, have abruptly ended their fledgling relationship before it even really started.
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Kerry broke the news via Instagram on Monday afternoon, telling fans: “I’m in a relationship with me. I make me happy and will never leave me.
“Single is good when you like yourself and don’t count on anyone else for your happiness!”
Baffled fans were quick to ask Kerry what happened with James.
One wrote: “Oh no are not dating James anymore? That’s a shame if that’s what the above means. Take care and both stay strong together or not!”
Another said: “Thought you were with James. Hope that’s not gone [bleep] up babe. Hope you’re ok xxx.”
James, meanwhile, alluded to the break up on his own Instagram account with a cryptic message.
He wrote: “Chase your own dreams. [Bleep] everyone else. It is that simple. You have one life. Go live it the way you want.”
Kerry and James began dating shortly after the Atomic Kitten singer confirmed her marriage to third husband George Kay was over.
Rumours that Kerry had moved on from George surfaced last month when Closer magazine reported she was growing close to a man she’d met at an Atomic Kitten gig.
“She’s been visiting him in Scotland recently,” claimed an insider, “which is great because they can keep their relationship more private up there.”
The pal continued: “She’s playing her cards close to her chest with this guy.”
James is best known for appearing in an internet reality show called Glow, apparently once dubbed the Scottish version of TOWIE.
He’s also dabbled in acting, landing a role in the TV series of Outlander, before turning his attention to comedy.
While they kept their romance under wraps at first, James then opened up about Kerry in a jaw-dropping and rather bizarre interview with a Scottish late night chat show.
Host Ewen Cameron asked James about his sex life with Kerry, to which James joked: “It’s a good thing we’ve got – a bit of casual sex. That’s all it is.”
James added: “It’s a tough question but I think it was both the gags and the abs that attracted Kerry… It’s love, yes I’m in love with her.”
Kerry hooked up with James following her split from third husband George.
The couple married in 2014 and split briefly in 2015 before getting back together.
Confirming the split, Kerry told Loose Women: “He’s the father of my children and I wish George nothing but love and happiness.
“I hope he finds the peace to get the help he needs but I can’t continue to help someone when I need help myself and to take responsibility for my actions.
“It got to the point where I said enough is enough. I’m drained but I’m not sad, I’m excited about my future.
“I feel empowered I walked away from a relationship that wasn’t a right one to be in.”
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However that amicable sentiment wasn’t to last and the split soon descended into a rather nasty and very public war of words between the former spouses.
They share daughter Dylan-Jorge, three, while Kerry is also mum to daughters Molly, 16, Lilly-Sue, 14, Heidi, ten, and son Max, nine, from previous relationships.