KERRY Katona's relationship with fiance Ryan Mahoney was "on the rocks" months before she revealed her shock split.
The former Atomic Kitten star, 44, got engaged to fitness trainer Ryan, 36, on holiday in Spain four years ago.
But things have appeared to turn sour after Kerry is said to have felt "unsupported" by her partner during recent events.
A source told The Sun: “It’s not like anyone has cheated - Kerry’s felt over the last couple of months that Ryan hasn’t been that supportive - when she moved into a new home he was no help.
"Basically since her mum went into hospital he’s not been there for her."
The pair sparked split rumours earlier this year when she moved in with her mum.
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Kerry spoke out while visiting her sick mum Sue in hospital, after Sue was rushed to A&E with blood clots found in her lungs.
A source said that Kerry became fed up with her partner being "lazy" and didn't see a long-term future with him.
They added: "It was on the rocks before her mum was sick and that was the final straw.
"He’s not a bad person, he’s just lazy and she doesn’t want lazy.
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"Ryan’s still living at the house while Kerry is staying with her mum. She’s really really sad about it.”
Earlier today Kerry today shared an update on Sue with her followers this week, telling them the doctor had been to visit Sue on the ward.
One fan cracked a joke in the comments on Instagram, writing: "So much love to you both, and is the Dr single?"
Kerry typed back to the fan: "No, but I am!"
The Sun has contacted Kerry's representative for comment.
It comes as mum-of-five Kerry opened up about plans to marry Ryan, but later revealed she felt "unsupported" by her younger fiancé.
She said her eldest daughters Lilly-Sue and Molly - who she shares with ex-husband Brian McFadden - insisted they wanted to be there, and so the Las Vegas wedding was off.
Speaking to , Kerry said: "Ryan and I were looking to go to Vegas to finally get married but Molly and Lilly said, 'Don’t you dare do that without us'.
"I told them they’d already been at too many of my weddings! That put those plans on the backburner."
Kerry later had surgery on her nose after years of drug abuse left her at risk of it collapsing.
The gruelling operation saw surgeons take a piece of her rib to rebuild her nose.
Following the operation she confessed to feeling "unsupported" by Ryan.
Writing in her column for , she said: "I want to say a massive thank you to my mum, who has been my rock during the last couple of weeks.
Kerry's relationship timeline
Kerry started dating Ryan in 2018 and their wedding would have been her fourth time time walking down the aisle.
Kerry married Westlife singer Brian McFadden when she was 21 – and had two daughters Molly and Lilly. They split two years later.
In 2007 the singer married taxi driver Mark Croft, the father of her children Max and Heidi, but their marriage was over by 2011.
Her third husband, George Kay, tragically died in 2019, leaving behind their daughter DJ. They split in 2017.
"I’ve been staying at hers and she’s really looked after me.
"If I’m honest, I’ve felt more lonely than ever during my recovery. Ryan was away getting a tattoo in London when I went into hospital and I haven’t seen him since my surgery over a week ago.
"That upset me, because it made me feel unsupported and I could have done with the emotional support.
"I’m always the 'strong mum' in our house and this week I really wanted to be looked after and have him here, but I had my mum instead."
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Ryan got down in on one knee on holiday in Spain while celebrating Kerry's 40th birthday.
Ryan popped the question after asking Kerry’s five children, Molly, Lilly, Heidi, Max, and DJ, for their blessing.