Kerry Katona admits she signed up for Channel 4 show for 'therapy' and 'paycheck'

Kerry Katona has unveiled the reason she returned to Celebs Go Dating. The former Atomic Kitten star is one of several celebrities who recently signed up for the new series on Channel 4. She previously appeared on the programme in 2019 but has now made a comeback, alongside other famous faces such as Mark Labbett, Jon Lee, and Sam Prince. Speaking exclusively with Express Online, Kerry admitted that she went back on the show for "therapy" and a "paycheck." She also revealed the first-ever date she went on, and explained her "worst ever dating experience" during her life so far.

"I wanted the paycheck, I wanted the exposure and the therapy," Kerry admitted. "I did not want a boyfriend. I've known Anna [Williamson] probably from the start of my career, so I'm really good friends with Anna. If you get offered to have therapy with the most amazing experts in the world, why would you not want to do that and get paid for it? I'm quite happily single and getting used to it."

When quizzed about her worst ever dating experience, Kerry confessed: "I went on a date before the show just to see if I could go on a date, and he turned up with a bum bag, a sleeveless hoodie, and asked me for a selfie. He sent it to his Mum. True story."

She also said that her first ever date was likely when she was 15 years old. Also on the show is The Chase star Mark Labbett, who shared his heartbreaking relationship fear after his split with Hayley Palmer.

The 59-year-old, best known for being on the ITV quiz show since 2009, recently dated the showbiz presenter for one year before calling it quits.

He told us: "I've never done television like this before, so it was a chance to branch out a little bit and see what it's like on the other side of the TV business, and I think it's fair to say it was a real eye opener."

Mark added: "In fairness, I've been single most of my life, and you get very comfortable about being single, so I'm trying to put it in words. It's a new experience. I thought, 'Let's give it a try.'"

The TV quizzer reportedly ended his relationship with Hayley over the phone, which Hayley described as "really hard." The former couple had appeared on Loose Women just days earlier before Mark called it quits over a three-minute chat in May 2024.

The new series of Celebs Go Dating is now on E4.