Close friend Kerry Katona has publicly attributed Katie Price's recent dramatic weight loss to the distressing rape charges faced by her ex-husband Kieran Hayler.
Court Appearance and Allegations
Kieran Hayler appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court this week to confront serious allegations including three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against a child. The 38-year-old personal trainer, best known for his marriage to former glamour model and TV personality Katie Price, was charged by police last month.
The alleged offences are said to have occurred at an address in West Sussex between June and October 2016, during which time Hayler was still married to Price. Notably, Hayler was known to be living at Price's West Sussex home, famously nicknamed 'Mucky Mansion' due to its dilapidated condition, around this period.
Price's Cryptic Stage Comments
Katie Price, 47, appeared to indirectly reference the allegations during her joint theatre tour with Katona at London's Clapham Grand. While discussing traumatic experiences with men in her life, the mother-of-five made revealing comments that seemed to point toward her ex-husband.
"What I've gone through, and - how do I word it - current news, I had a real reason to be wary of things because it's closer to home than you realise," Price told the audience. "I can't say anymore on it, but I'm sure you know what I'm getting to."
Katona's Support and Explanation
Kerry Katona, 45, who formed a close friendship with Price after meeting in the I'm A Celebrity jungle in 2004, spoke candidly to the Daily Mail about her friend's altered appearance following their UK theatre tour.
"Have you read the headlines about her ex-husband? You'd lose weight, but Kate is not fragile," Katona stated. "She's the strongest woman I know."
The Atomic Kitten singer emphasised Price's resilience, adding: "She's also more sober, more together, than anyone gives her credit for. And she will get her empire back. I am in awe of her."
Hayler, who married Price in 2013 before their separation in 2018, has been granted bail with conditions that prevent him from contacting the alleged victim. The case is scheduled for a plea hearing at Lewes Crown Court on December 17.
Legal representatives for Hayler have told the Daily Mail that their client "strongly denies the allegations made against him in their entirety." The former stripper-turned-personal trainer shares two children with Katie Price from their marriage.
Metro's attempts to obtain comment from Katie Price's representative were unsuccessful, with her team declining to address the matter publicly.
