Kerry open to questions at Oxford (From Bournemouth Echo)

Kerry open to questions at Oxford

6:00pm Wednesday 29th April 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share

Kerry Katona has spoken about her battles with mental illness and the media in a speech to the Oxford Union.

The reality TV star and former Atomic Kitten singer told the audience there was nothing off limits in the question-and-answer session at the world-famous debating society.

More than 250 people had been expected to attend, but audience members said the city centre venue was half empty, with barely 100 people listening to the talk.

Kerry, 28, arrived with an MTV film crew and headed towards the venue's bar.

Her husband Mark Croft is thought to have been among the entourage who shielded her with an umbrella as she entered the building.

The mother-of-four spoke to Oxford University students for about an hour in the main debating chamber. Speeches usually last up to two hours, a spokeswoman said.

Audience members said Kerry's speech was warmly received however, even though she told them she was nervous before she started.

Henry Evans, 19, a history student from Kent, said: "She talked about being a celebrity, how she deals with fame and how it affects her children.

"I thought she did very well, but very few people turned out. There were far fewer people than the usual turnout for speeches. I found it interesting though. It was a lot better than working."

Kerry left shortly after finishing her speech, which was being filmed for her latest reality TV show Kerry Katona: What's The Problem?, due to be screened next month.

• Print
• Email
• Share