Kerry Katona recently split from her third husband George Kay following a turbulent time.
The Atomic Kitten singer claimed the former rugby league player’s controlling behaviour caused their marriage to break down.
And now the star’s pals claim Kerry has found love with a Scottish businessman who has “distracted” her from all the George drama.
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Friends close to Kerry, 36, have revealed the two are secretly dating and attempting to keep their relationship private.
The insider told Closer magazine: “Kerry has a new man – he’s a Scottish businessman she met at an Atomic Kitten gig.
“She’s been visiting him in Scotland recently with her eldest daughter Molly, 15, 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.”
There have been a number of accusations both from Kerry and George hitting out at each other over the past two months.
Kerry made a series of allegations that George had been possessive and controlling during their three-year marriage but George hit back at her claims recently and blamed her “alcoholism” for their split.
He alleged that Kerry is an alcoholic and has been abusive towards him a number of times.
George exclusively told the Daily Star that Kerry once hit him over the head with a glass tumbler which left him with a black eye and a lump.
He told the Daily Star Sunday: “I’m not trying to throw stones, but I’ve been painted as the pantomime villain for a long time and enough is enough.
“I’m not having Kerry saying things about me that aren’t true and that, more importantly, my daughter could read in the future.”
He said: “Kerry’s drinking is out of control – she is an alcoholic and needs to get help.
“Being around her when she’s drinking to excess is awful – she is an absolute nightmare.
“She flips her lid about anything. She’ll scream and shout, then she gets very aggressive. I’ve had to report her to the police in the past.”
Kerry’s spokesperson hit back at George’s allegations and told The Sun: “Kerry utterly refutes this nonsensical story, which is the complete opposite of the true situation.
“The Star on Sunday conveniently ignores the fact that charges of serious assault on Kerry were only dropped when she declined to give evidence for the sake of her children.”
Kerry’s pals claim her new man is now helping her to handle the break-up.
The source continued to tell Closer: “Having a new man in her life has been a welcome diversion.
“Kerry’s been fairly laid-back about the split so far because she’s had the romance to distract her.”
The friend explained that Kerry is apparently optimistic about her newfound love. They added: “It’s going to be tricky managing a relationship with someone so far away – but her new man doesn’t have kids, is a bit older and is a successful businessman.
“So he isn’t interested in her money. She’s saying she thinks things could work between them.”
This comes after the proud mum revealed her “focus is going to be her children” going forward.
The troubled star said recently that her two eldest daughters, Molly and Lilly-Sue, 14, begged her to leave George.
“I feel like the worst mother in the world and I will never forgive myself,” Kerry told the Sunday People.
“No child should have to hear what they heard or see what they saw.
“I sat my Molly and Lilly down because they’re older and all I could do was profusely apologise to them.
“I said to the girls, ‘I’m so sorry I’ve let this go on for so long.’
“They said, ‘Why are you standing for this? Just leave him.’”