Kerry Katona's new boyfriend denies that Atomic Kitten star 'stole him' from another woman

Kerry Katona’s new relationship with Celebs Go Dating contestant Paolo Margaglione has been rocked by allegations from a woman who claims he was still romantically involved with her during the filming of the show – which he denies.

Jessica Smith, a 25-year-old warehouse manager from Yorkshire, claims she was dating Paolo and was unaware he had joined the E4 dating series where he met the former Atomic Kitten star.

“I do not believe that he has one single feeling for Kerry,” Jessica told MailOnline. “He only cares about fame, and he’ll be happy he’s now being put out there.”

However, Paolo denied the claims, telling the publication: "I was never in a relationship with Jess. We only met up around five times. I was honest with her that I had been offered to go on a dating show and if it were to come fruition, I would take the opportunity.

"I made it clear to Jess that we had to stop talking and seeing each other as I had been offered to go on the show. I have nothing bad to say about Jess she's a great girl."

Kerry, 44, recently confirmed her romance with 33-year-old Paolo, a personal trainer, sharing public displays of affection just months after splitting from her ex-fiancé Ryan Mahoney. But Jessica alleges Paolo misled her throughout their relationship, even while appearing on the reality show.

According to claims made by Jessica, Paolo told her he was in Ibiza for a stag weekend and later flying his children out to join him. In reality, he was reportedly filming the dating show with Kerry.

“He told me he was there for three weeks,” Jessica explained. “He tried to convince me to fly out and see him. But it was all lies - he was filming the show with Kerry.”

Jessica claims Paolo repeatedly told her his trips to London were business-related, even sending photos for proof. But she later learned he had been filming Celebs Go Dating during those visits.

“He lied to me the entire time we were together. It was horrendous,” she claimed. “Every single thing was an act. I feel like I was completely led the entire time.”

The relationship allegedly began when Paolo messaged Jessica on Instagram. They began seeing each other regularly, with Jessica staying at his home and believing their bond was serious. Jess claims Paolo even said he’d marry her.

Jessica cliams she only found out the truth when Paolo finally confessed. “I asked him, ‘Do you expect me to sit at home and watch this and still be with you?’ And he replied, ‘I hope you will do that, but it’s completely down to you.’ I hysterically cried all day at work. Everything was a lie.”

She also claims Paolo told her directly: “It’s nothing to do with love and it’s only for the fame. I promise you, everyone goes on the show for fame, and I’m just doing the same.”

Paolo, a father of two, reportedly told Jessica he had separated from his children’s mother over a year ago and insisted he was only focused on co-parenting. In response to the allegations, Paolo told the Mail that he was never in a relationship with Jess and only met up around five times.

He said he was honest with her and explained he had been offered the chance to appear on the dating show. He added that he made it clear to Jess that the pair had to stop speaking to one another and stop seeing one another.

Kerry, who has appeared on Celebs Go Dating before, is returning to the show for a second time. The series also features Olivia Hawkins (Love Island) and Mark Labbett (The Chase).

Katona’s new relationship comes after the end of her six-year engagement to Ryan Mahoney last November. The mother-of-five has been married three times, including to Westlife’s Brian McFadden and the late George Kay, who died in 2019.

The Mirror has approached Kerry's representatives for comment on this story.

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