**Kerry Katona Faces Difficult Recovery After Emergency Dental Procedure**
Kerry Katona, the once-member of pop group Atomic Kitten, has candidly spoken about the severe discomfort she has faced following an urgent dental operation. The 44-year-old singer and television personality has revealed that what initially appeared as ‘lumps’ in her jaw, and which gave her cause for concern, were ultimately diagnosed as an infection, requiring immediate specialist treatment.
Writing in her recurring column for *new!* magazine, Katona relayed the toll the experience has taken on her daily life. “It’s been a really hard week for me,” she said. “I’ve been in a lot of pain — the lumps in my jaw, which I mentioned previously, turned out to be an infection. That meant I needed three root canal treatments, all at once.”
Despite the intense pain, Katona has continued with her professional commitments. “To be honest, I’ve just wanted to stay in bed,” she admitted, “but work at the moment is so busy, I haven’t been able to do that.” Katona is currently filming for the popular reality series *Celebs Go Dating*, where, despite her ordeal, she is expected to put on a brave face for the cameras.
Expressing her gratitude, she commended the team at Wish Dental, the clinic responsible for her care. “The staff were fantastic. They’ve really looked after me,” she noted, but added honestly, “I’m still suffering. On set I have to act upbeat while I’m in agony. All I want is to feel like myself again — here’s hoping for a swift recovery.”
The episode comes at a time when Katona is also contending with emotional challenges in her personal life. In comments made previously, she has described feeling particularly ‘broody’ and reflective, expressing a renewed desire to have another child. Katona, whose eldest children are young adults, told readers she is experiencing loneliness as her youngest, Dylan-Jorge, prepares to start high school in the autumn.
“My son Max is always off in his own world, and my girls are all quickly growing up,” she shared. “There are days when the house feels empty. I miss the chaos perhaps, or maybe it’s just the quiet now that really hits.”
Katona, who has endured public scrutiny across decades of fame, has suggested she is open to the possibilities of solo motherhood. Following her recent split from fiancé and fitness trainer Ryan Mahoney, she is considering a range of options for expanding her family, joking, “Why not a sperm donor? Or maybe I’ll just find a new partner, perhaps someone a bit younger.”
Her candour about both physical suffering and personal isolation has resonated widely with fans, many of whom have followed her tumultuous journey through fame, relationships, and multiple life changes. Industry observers suggest Katona’s honest public statements may pave the way for deeper discussions regarding mental health, recovery, and the challenges celebrities face under the spotlight.
Despite the setbacks, Katona remains determined. “I just want to get back to being the Kerry everyone knows and loves,” she wrote. With her trademark resilience, she appears intent on facing yet another difficult period with a combination of vulnerability and humour, promising followers she will keep fighting for her health — and perhaps for a larger family in the future.