Kerry Katona: 'I'm on the road to recovery'

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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The former Atomic Kitten singer has checked into the Priory to be treated for bipolar disorder

Kerry Katona checked into the Priory clinic following her family's ordeal at the hands of armed robbers who held a knife to the former popstar's neck after breaking into her £1.2million Cheshire home.

The 26-year-old returned to the clinic, popular with celebrities, to seek expert help in recovering from her ordeal. She is also being treated for bipolar disorder, a form of manic depression which she has battled for several years.

Her comments come as detectives investigating the violent robbery have confirmed they have found her blue BMW snatched by the raiders.

Police found the car, which was not damaged, on Tuesday night, 10 miles away on Reeves Road in Chorlton, Manchester and it has now been taken to a secure garage to be forensically examined for clues.

According to the Daily Star, Kerry, who is focused on her recovery, said: "I am surrounded by people I know, love and trust from when I came here before, when I felt low and exhausted.

"The beauty is I'm not starting from scratchI know the way this place works, so many faces are familiar and I trust each and every one of them 100 per cent.

"I would like to tell everyone that I am on the road to recovery. I love Mark and my children and can't wait to get home really soon.

"I know I am in the best possible place at the moment."

Kerry's husband, ex-cab driver Mark Croft added: "I have spoken to Kerry just now, and she is doing brilliantly. I'm so proud of her.

"Without any doubt she and her advisors made the right decision that she should get the expert and professional help to recover from this terrible business."

Kerry's condition deteriorated following the terrifying armed raid in which she and her five-month-old daughter, Heidi, were held hostage at their home.

The gang was armed with a crowbar, sledgehammer and large kitchen knife.

One of them held a blade to Katona's throat as she cowered with her baby daughter, while another took Croft, 36, through the house as they grabbed tens of thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and electrical equipment.

Katona's spokesman, Max Clifford, said: "Kerry has gone into the Priory. Bipolar disorder is something she has suffered from for some time, and the condition has, of course, been very much brought on by what happened.

"She has been treated in the Priory before so they know her problems and her symptoms. It was a question of getting her there as quickly as possible so she can receive the right treatment."

Katona is expected to remain in the London clinic for up to two weeks.

Her two young daughters by ex-husband Brian McFadden were not in the house at the time.

The star, working the red carpet in happier times, recently fell victim to a home invasion after leaving a door unlocked

Family: The singer with Heidi and (left) husband Mark Croft

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