BRYAN MCFADDEN AND KERRY KATONA
When Bryan Mcfadden and Kerry Katona first became a couple, people were quick to denounce their relationship, claiming that due to their blossoming careers and youth - both were in their teens at the time - it wouldnt last five minutes. But, in the fickle world of celebrity dating, the pairing of a member of Europe's biggest boy band with a TV star has proved to be an unlikely success.
Not only have Bryan and Kerry, both still just 22 years old, made the commitment of marriage - in a glamorous ceremony in Ireland in January 2002 - but they are also the proud parents of 15-month-old Molly. And, just three weeks ago, they welcomed the latest addition to their family, in the form of their adorable new baby daughter, Lilly Sue.
However, the couple have been the victims of tabloid rumours, most notably involving one alleged incident of infidelity during Bryan's stag weekend, which caused a rift in their marriage. The incident threatened to wreck the couple's happiness but instead, the opposite seems to be the case.
Bryan and Kerry are understandably unwilling to speak about the matter, but it was clear from the couple's closeness during OK!'s exclusive shoot that their marriage is as strong as ever.
As they relaxed in the opulent surroundings of the presidential suite at the Hyatt Regency Madeleine in Paris, Bryan and Kerry proved to be devoted parents by cooing over their newborn while making sure Molly also got her fair share of the attention. They obviously relish each others company, with Bryan making his stunning wife laugh throughout the interview, while she in turn affectionatly cuddled her husband. After Bryan had dashed off to get his wife a Coca-cola, the pair relaxed and talked honestly to OK! about how they've come through the darker periods in their marriage, why they got bored on honeymoon and the joys of the latest arrival to their family...
Firstly Congratulations on the birth of your second daughter Lilly Sue. You both Appear to be absolutely besotted with her...
Kerry: She's brilliant and i feel like shes been around forever. When I was in hospital, I felt anxious about going home with two kids, but now I think its just perfect. People always say you never notice your second one and shes so good its like shes not even here. I'm more relaxed with Lilly because Molly's at the age where im having to run around after her. Im absolutely in Love with the girls, but its dead weird to think we're only 22 and we've got 2 children. I think its mad. I sound like Sally Webster off Coronation street, always saying 'the girls'
Bryan: It doesnt feel as if shes only been in our lives for just three weeks - her arrival has been so natural. But it is strange having two children. When I
called the travel agent to confirm the flights to Paris, it sounded weird to book for two children.
Although you are 22, you're both high-profile celebrities. How does this Glamorous professional lifestyle compare to parenthood?
Bryan: Its quite hard to juggle both because its difficult keeping your private and work life seperate. When we go home, its just us and the two babies, whereas our public life is huge because we're both on television
Kerry: Thats part of the job though - it just goes with the territory. You never know, Bryan, in three years' time you may well be back at McDonald's!
Bryan, have you been given a break from Westlife to spend time getting to know your newborn baby?
Bryan: I was given a few weeks off but i'm going straight into a tour. It's going to be hard but hopefully the kids and Kerry will come over to visit me.
Kerry: We're both working hard for the future of our children. Bryan and I are so lucky to have our work opportunities, although its hard because we dont see as much of eachother as we'd like. But in the long run, it'll be worth it because we wont be doing this for the rest of our lives. I was bought up with no security or money, so when im working im working for my kids so that their lives will be stable and they can go on holiday every year.
Kerry your pregnancy sounded very tough, You had a cyst removed while you were just five weeks pregnant and had horrendous morning sickness...
Kerry: I'm rubbish at being pregnant because i'm always poorly. I had a cyst before, When Molly was six months old, so i knew that it was happening again when i was pregnant with Lilly. At first the doctors thought that it might be an eptopic pregnancy and we were rushed to hospital and i was frantically worried. When the doctors were talking to me about possible problems with the operation. I burst into tears and thought thet if I lost this baby i'd try for another immediately, despite the fact that i hadnt wanted to be pregnant at the time. When someone tells you that you may lose your baby it puts everything into perspective and all you care about is having a healthy child . But the pregnancy wasnt good - I was tired and throwing up. I loved the birth but didnt like being pregnant.
So, by the time Lilly made an appearance, you must have been extremely relieved...
Kerry: Deffinately. I got induced with Lilly at a hospital in Dublin. They broke my waters at 7:25am and I had my first contraction at 5:30pm. Lilly was born at 10:31pm
Bryan: Kerry's mum and I had to drag ourselves away from watching the Michael Jackson documentary down the corridor to witness the birth!
Kerry: As soon as they put me in the delivery room, Mum and Bryan said they were off to see the documentary and i was like: 'fine, leave me on my own.' They kept popping in and then i felt the pressure and started pushing, I had a natural birth with both my babies. When Lilly appeared, I felt very emotional and cried - I was just happy it was over, i saw the pictures and i looked about 12!
Bryan, How did it feel to hold Lilly for the first time?
Bryan: I filmed it all and i knew what to expect because we'd had Molly. I filmed Lilly coming out and being Cleaned up, getting her first nappy and getting weighed. It was a fantastic experience.
It's quite bizarre that both your children were concieved in the Conrad hotel in London. Do you think there's some weird fertility drug in the water?
Kerry: There must be something in the water, i'm surprised the hotel doesnt ask us for royalties!
Bryan: Our home is in Ireland but when we're in England we Live in the Conrad, so it's not really that strange as its like a second apartment.
Kerry were you surprised to be pregnant again?
Kerry: Neither Lilly nor Molly were planned. While Bryan was away i did seven pregnancy tests and i couldnt believe they were all positive. I just thought, not again! I started crying because I couldnt believe it. Molly was not even one and I was just getting back into work. Bryan was absolutely delighted.
Bryan: I was convinced the baby was going to be a boy. When Kerry became pregnant with Molly I was very nervous, but it was different with Lilly because we were married and we were just doing what normal married couples do.
So, are there going to be many more baby Mcfaddens?
Kerry: No more babies - Bryan, you're getting the snip! Seriously, we do want more but i'm going to leave it for about four years.
Bryan: We've been talking about adopting a boy as it'd be great to give something back. We have a loving family, money and security, so we've a lot to offer.
Kerry: I was fostered, so i appreciate there are kids out there who need a good home. But we are only 22, so there's plenty of time for more children.
With Much of your time revolving around caring for two young children and work, how do you find space for each other?
Kerry: We have lots of help from our families. Bryan's mum gave up her job to help look after Molly, so any time we wanted to go out, such as Valentine's day, we could. It's important to have time for your relationship otherwise you drift apart. We've got a nanny now because it wouldnt be fair on Bryan's mum to look after two children - she's got her own life. I need a nanny because i travel so much and airlines wont let you travel on your own with two kids under two.
Bryan: When we're not working, we like to go out for drinks and dinner, but our favourite thing is to stay in bed all day watching friends.
You cant escape the fact that there are many people who would love to see your relationship fail because you're married with children at such a young age...
Kerry: If you went back 20 years when my mum was my age, people were gettin married at 16 and no one said there was anything wrong with it. Now women wait until they're 40 to get married and have kids, but who's to say its right or wrong? I f we weren't famous and didnt have the money it would probably be the last thing on our mind, but we've been around the world and done so much at a young age. Plus i've always wanted a family and i want to grow up with my children rather than be old parents.
Bryan: When the girls are grown up, we'll be in our forties. They'll be old enough to do their own thing and we'll still be young enough to enjoy ourselves.
Kerry, despite being a busy mum, you've proved to be a hit on the television screen. How far up to the birth did you work?
Kerry: All the way through. I presented a show in Ireland called you're a star on the sunday night, then I went to bed, got up the next day and went straight into hospital to have Lilly. I love working and i'm a very active person. i find it really hard to sit around. Bryan's worse, he comes home and annoys me as he's got itchy feet and cant wind down - I'll just have to drug him with sleeping pills! (laughs.)
You were married in a spectacular ceremony in January 2002. What was the mosy memorable moment of the day?
Kerry: I have to say, it was the week before when we were staying at Slane castle. All our close friends and family were with us and we had a brilliant time. The actual day was fantastic, but the build-up was better. I didnt feel that emotional during the ceromony. Just giddy.
Sometimes it feels strange to think that I have a husband. Because most of my mates are single or have boyfriends. I suppose the main difference is if we had a bad row and split up, then we'd have to get a divorce and thats really scary.
After such a fantastic wedding surrounded by family and friends, did you have post-wedding blues?
Kerry: Yes, it was so depressing. I remember sitting in the car on the way back to Dublin waiting for Bryan to get fish and chips and I had a face like thunder. I was thinking, thats it, It's all over. We went back to our apartment and the heating wasnt working. Then we flew to south Africa for the first part of the honeymoon, but didnt realise how famous Bryan was over there so we couldnt move out of our hotel. We later flew to Mauritius where no one knew us - but everyone was over 50!
Bryan: We love eachothers company, buta fter having such a great pre-wedding party we were bored, as it was a bit of an anti-climax. So two of our friends flew out to Mauritius to join us. When we returned to Ireland, we were told that the bill for our wedding was over-budget by £200,000 - can you believe it? There was a free bar and most of our family and friends are alcoholics, so you can imagine 350 people drinking away!
Bryan, you proposed after only three weeks. What made you decide that Kerry was the one?
Bryan: You just know and she knew aswell and said yes. It wasnt a case that at the time we had loads of money, because Kerry's career hadn't yet taken off.
Kerry: I felt exactly the same way. We were doing some gig in Brighton and I started talking to Bryan, That night, he asked me out five times and gave me the password to his bedroom, but i thought, i'm going to be another notch on your bedpost! He went off to Japan and when we finally got back in touch Bryan was really off with me on the phone because he had a girlfriend. We met up and flirted but i told him he was an idiot for seeing someone else when he could have had me. He declared his love but i said i wasnt interested until he was single.
Bryan: My ex was gone in about five minutes and we were engaged three weeks later.
Kerry, you've been through a lot of trauma in your childhood, including being fostered, but yo seem so focused on family life. Do you ever feel that your past will come back to haunt you or do you think you've entered a totally different chapter in your life?
Kerry: I find it really hard to let go of the past and i dwell on it a lot. People think i've got everything but they dont understand how hard ive had to work. Im so happy that i got married young and have two kids i love, and my backgrounds made me stronger. You're given two paths in your life, the wrong and right one, and which way you choose depends on what kind of person you are. I could be on drugs, an alcoholic and a thief, but decided againt that. One of the reasons i pushed myself was that i was in care at school and i was immediately percieved as trouble through no fault of my own. i'm very proud of where i am now and have everything ive ever wanted - a perfect family life.
You appear to be perfectly suited as a couple, but there must be times behind closed doors when you drive each other round the bend...
Kerry: Oh god, yes! Bryan is so scruffy and doesnt clean up. I have to do everything around the house - he cant even put things in the dishwasher or the bin. Buts that one of the only things that annoys me.
Bryan: But thats why i got married (laughs) - for you to do it!
Like most married couples, you've had your ups and downs. Do you think Bryan being part of Westlife has put a strain on your relationship?
Kerry: It did when i first left Atomic Kitten, when i was pregnant. I'd given up my job, left my friends and family and moved to Ireland where i didnt know anyone. I was so depressed, I would sit around the house doing nothing snd it drove me insane. With the (Atomic Kitten) girls i was used to getting up at 4:30am and working until 2:30am the next day. I was desperate to get back out there working and couldnt because i was pregnant. Even now i do get lonely sometimes and have a cry because i really, really miss Bryan - its becasue we're so close.
Do you ever feel paranoid or insecure that one of you might be unfaithful?
Kerry: Not at all - Bryan's fans are only 14 anyway! I've been in the same job as Bryan and thats why we are good together. We understand whats going on.
Bryan: If she was worried about me, I think she'd have been gone by now. But she gets jealous because im a lot more famous than her!
Kerry: (laughs) Yeah, your break will come, love!
Like any married couple you have gone through dark periods. How have you managed to put the bad times behind you?
Bryan: We absolutely love eachother and the love that made us get engaged within three weeks of meeting eachother is still there.
Kerry: No matter what's happened in the past, i'm never going to stop loving Bryan. I dont care what anyone says, when there's a foundation there you can never stop loving someone. I'm a completely different person now than when i met Bryan. I had loads of Baggage from being in care and having a difficult past, most lads wouldnt have been interested. But he's been my knight in shining armour.
So, Do you totally trust eachother?
Kerry: Definitely.
Bryan: Absolutely.
So you would forgive eachother anything - apart, perhaps, from a full-blown affair?
Kerry: Well, we're still married.
Bryan: Though she does talk about Colin Farrell a bit, and now she tells me she fancies Declan Donnelly.
Kerry: I've been invited to Colin Farrell's party, but Bryan wont let me go.
Kerry do you ever miss your days in Atomic Kitten?
Kerry: Sometimes when i go to Bryan's concerts and he's up on stage, I find that I really miss not being in the band. I wont deny it, I'd give anything to get on stage one more time with the girls from Atomic Kitten. Im Known as the girl from Atomic Kitten or the one married to Bryan and its really frusterating. I'd like to be known in my own right as Kerry Mcfadden.
You're still close to the Atomic Kitten girls. Have you been in touch with Natasha Hamilton since her split from her fiance, Fran Cosgrave?
Kerry: Yes Natasha's one of my best mates and we're always on the phone saying: 'Love you, Miss you.' She and Josh (Natasha's baby) are on great form.
Bryan: It's quite strange as we're caught in the middle because Kerry's best friends with Tash and i'm very close to Fran. The other day, I was talking to Fran on the phone and Kerry was talking to Tash, and they must have known that we'd be having these conversations.
Bryan, how do the Westlife lads help to support one other when the band's abroad and missing loved ones?
Bryan: The one thing that keeps us alive is golf! you dont miss anything or anyone when you're working because your heads focused, but its when you arrive in somewhere like Malaysia and you have a whole day of waiting around ahead of you that you feel like cracking up because you'd rather be at home with your family. But golf takes our mind off it.
Tell us about your beautiful new family home in Dublin?
Bryan: It's our dream house and it's like southfork! We have a home Cinema, snooker room and golf area, but it was expensive because Dublin is really Pricey.
The press are always coming up with stories about Westlife, saying that you're on the verge of splitting up. Whats the truth?
Bryan: It's total rubbish. One of our tour guys, Anto Byrne, left because he wanted to go on to something new and we thought we'd get younger people on the road with us. There was no dispute. We're signing another album deal with BMG, so we're hardly on the verge of splitting.
Are you concerned that when you do eventually split up there will be animosity between the lads like there is with Boyzone? It's almost inevitable that some of you will end up being more successful than the others...
Bryan: We've always agreed that none of us will leave the band for our own interests. There will be solo deals offered and TV companies have already contacted the group for presenting work, but at the moment we're concentrating on the band. We're very close - It was only a few years ago that three of the guys worked in shops in sligo while I was in McDonalds and Nicky was a DJ. It was the five of us who made Westlife. We've still got lots to do and we want to Conquer the world.
Are you keen to go solo?
Bryan: After the band i probably would, but even if the band broke up i would want a couple of years off to be with my family. There's no split on the cards - we're writing, recording and touring so there's another four or five years before we'd even consider splitting up.
Bryan, you and the Westlife lads are notorious for your partying, which has occasionally got you into trouble. But you've recently said that you're controlling your drinking. Set the record straight - Have you really been laying off the booze?
Kerry: Can I just say that Bryan has got this image of being an alcoholic womaniser and it's wrong. I've only seen him drunk about three times and when we go out, he often doesn't drink because he doesn't need a drink to have a good time. Out of all the boys he goes out the least, and often he'll drink water. I'm the one who stays on in the club when Bryan goes home. I'm the one who wants to go out for a pub lunch and Bryan says its too early for a drink.
Bryan: I was very Drunk at last years BRITS, but thats about it. Once, I left a club with a bottle of beer and i'd only had two or three drinks and it was all over the papers about me being disgracefully drunk.
Finally, Bryan if you werent in Westlife would you buy their music?
Bryan: Probably, because i Like all kinds of music and listen to everyting. I dont think i'd be a Westlife fan though!
Taken from the latest OK magazine
5th March 2003
Oh, they seem some happy!!
I wish them the best of luck! I hope they will have eachother forever, they seem some much in love!!
Check out the pic from the Ok interview on my Bryan site www.bopbopbryan.subnet.dk
Love Louise
