‘It was a perfect proposal – I've never been happier'

In their first ever joint interview, Kerry Katona and Ryan Mahoney announce their engagement and their plans for a drive-through Vegas wedding!

- SARAH MORTON

She’s been divorced twice and widowed once, but her well publicised, troubled love life hasn’t put Kerry Katona off getting hitched again. In fact, the mum-of-five didn’t hesitate when her boyfriend of two years, Ryan Mahoney, got down on one knee last week and asked her to marry him – and this time she insists it’s for keeps.

“I always knew we’d get engaged,” Kez, who turns 40 on Sunday, gushes as we settle down for a video call to celebrate the happy news. “He’s the love of my life!”

When we talk, Kerry and Ryan, 32, are sunning themselves on the balcony of a beautiful villa in Spain, where they’re holidaying with Kerry’s five children, Molly, 18, Lilly, 17, Heidi, 13, Max, 12, and six-year-old DJ.

With her besotted fiancé by her side, it’s immediately clear, seeing them together, what a good influence Ryan is on the former Atomic Kitten singer. Kerry seems calm, measured and – most importantly – genuinely happy. She can’t wait to discuss Ryan’s super romantic proposal and their plans for a low-key Vegas wedding – and, of course, show off that huge two-carat engagement ring, bought from posh shop G Collins & Sons – one of the Queen’s favourite jewellers.

For Kerry, this sort of bliss is a far cry from relationships gone by. She married Westlife singer Brian McFadden at the age of 21 and the pair had Molly and Lilly, but split just two years later. She went on to wed taxi driver Mark Croft, father of Max and Heidi, but their tumultuous marriage lasted just four years and was blighted by bankruptcy and drug abuse. Kerry’s third husband, George Kay, died last year while estranged from the star, leaving behind their daughter DJ.