Sitting in the audience as Katie Price and Kerry Katona discuss their issues with the media isn’t an easy job as a journalist, but it’s one Zoe Delaney would be happy to relive
When taking my NCTJ exams more years ago than I care to reveal, I recall a tutor telling me working as a journalist would often require bravery and sometimes put one in dangerous situations.
He was of course referring to students eyeing up a career as a war correspondent or uncovering establishment stitch-ups – not watching those who would be spending a Saturday night watching Katie Price and Kerry Katona chatting on stage in a Lancashire seaside town.
But sitting in the audience as a journalist inside Marine Hall in Fleetwood very much felt like being on the frontline, as the showbiz veterans explained how the media can unfairly treat them at times to a crowd that made it clear their ride or die for their idols.
However, once I stopped panicking that I’d be outed as a pesky reporter and encircled by Kerry and Katie’s stans, I actually had a good time.
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Kerry and Katie have been household names for almost three decades now, with a whopping 13 autobiographies between them, so there was plenty for them to discuss.
Quick-witted and self-depreciating, Kerry certainly took the lead during the opening night at the tour. The mum-of-five poked fun at often chaotic love life but also spoke earnestly about her struggles with mental health. It’s clear Kerry uses humour as a defence mechanism, much to the delight of the crowd who she had in fits of laughter, and it’s certainly a talent to be able to speak so candidly about traumatic events without killing the ‘Hen Do’ vibe in the room.
Katie also spoke about her low moments and battles with mental health – and took a swipe at her ex-husband Peter Andre’s management team. Fresh from reentering the iTunes Charts, the reality TV star opened both acts serenading the crowd.
Katie herself would admit she doesn’t have the vocals of a Grammy winning singer, but her fans don’t care – they just want to see their idol having fun on stage, and Katie is more than happy to oblige.
I’ve been to plenty of celebrity talks and ‘An Evening With’ events over the years and they tend to be carefully planned, and often dull affairs.
When I watched Ryan Reynolds in conversation with Rob Delaney for the Just For Laughs festival in 2023, sitting inside The O2 felt like I had accidentally wandered into the wrong conference room in a hotel and was being pressured into buying a timeshare, such was his constant flogging of his multiple business ventures.
It was so painful that when during the supposed comedy event I received a message letting me know my beloved grandad had died, it was almost a relief – I finally had an excuse to leave!
I wasn’t hoping any of my loved ones popped their clogs during my time watching Kerry and Katie on stage. They may not have the Hollywood star power, or the bank balances boosted by Marvel money, but they certainly have a better grasp of what their fans want.
And what do their fans want? A laugh – and some tea. And Kerry and Katie certainly have some tea to spill.
If you’re someone who comments ‘why is this news?’ underneath reports about two of the country’s most famous women, this tour isn’t for you.
But if you have even a passing interest in celebrity culture and just basically love a bit of gossip, you’d be hard pressed to find a better night out for less than £30 a ticket.
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