
Drug-shame star Kerry, 29, claims she is fed up their two daughters hardly ever see their dad - who lives in Australia with his singer fiancée Delta Goodrem.
A close friend of Kerry's said: "It's not Brian who puts food on the table for them every day, takes them to school, does their washing, supervises their homework, gives them baths and does all the boring jobs that go with parenthood.
"It's Kerry who does that. It's Kerry who is there for them 52 weeks a year - and that is tough.
"Any dedicated dad would be just round the corner so that he could see his daughters all the time - not half-way round the world. The girls both long for more contact with their dad."
Westlife singer Brian, 29, told a TV show in Ireland in September that he had instructed lawyers to seek custody of Molly, eight, and Lilly-Sue, six - after we revealed a secret video had been shot of Kerry snorting cocaine at her Cheshire home.
Last month he saw them at his mum Mairead's Dublin home for a few days after flying to Ireland for Stephen Gately's funeral. Kerry and second husband Mark Croft handed the girls to Brian during a frosty meeting at Manchester Airport.
McFadden, originally from Ireland, has said he wants to see more of his children but Kerry has been obstructive.
Earlier this year, he told friends he flew from Australia but Kerry blocked him from seeing the girls.
A friend said: "She's trying to show him who's in charge - by calling all the shots when it comes to the girls' arrangements."
And Mairead said recently: "I just wish Kerry would get herself sorted out - and we could look after the girls. Brian would move back to Ireland and live with me and we could look after them together."
Yesterday Kerry's pal insisted: "Kerry's problems are in the past and she is loving mother. If there were problems, the authorities would have acted.
"The girls are at an excellent school and are settled with lots of friends locally. How would they benefit by being uprooted to Ireland or Australia?
"The only thing that is going to benefit is the PR image of Brian McFadden
"It's funny he flies all the way back from Australia to go to the funeral of a pop star - but doesn't fly back that often just to see his children.
"Brian knew he'd end up in the papers by going to the funeral. He wants to do all the glamorous things - but none of the grind that goes with being a parent.
"He is only making a fuss about custody because he is worried about his fanbase in Ireland.
"It doesn't look good him being so away and he knows it."
After his recent visit to Ireland, Brian said: "Having my girls back is incredible. But I want them for months - not just a few days. Kerry has made things very difficult for me and it has stressed my mum out so much."
Kerry, who lost her £250,000-a-year Iceland ad job after our cocaine revelation, has that vowed Brian will never get custody, warning him: "If you come after the girls, there will be war."
This article has 50 comments
What an evil woman. Supporting you all the way, Brian! <3
By Rainbow. Posted November 9 2009 at 3:08 PM.
From an Aussie to a Pom, Brian's here (ding, ding, we win!!), She's there (dah dumb, you lose!!).
By Leslie Braun. Posted November 7 2009 at 10:14 AM.
I'm sure she gets support from him so stop whinning about being a mother!! That's what mothers do. wah wah wah!!!
By Tracey. Posted November 4 2009 at 1:23 PM.
Lumboy, that was my first thought too as soon as I read it!
By Hobbes1966. Posted November 2 2009 at 7:42 AM.
I live in Australia, and Brian does NOT have a career here - he is famous for being Delta's man and that's about it. He doesn't actually do anything to earn $$ that I know about, so he's hardly based here for his career or popularity! Go back to the UK and be there for your daughters....
By Jeni89. Posted November 2 2009 at 4:29 AM.
I can't stand womenn who use their kids an emotional pawns.
What a stupid story this is. Short of cash are we Kerry?
What a sorry excuse of a mother. Millions of women raise their kids on their own without moaning to anyone that will listen.
Boo Hoo Kerry!
By Gurl. Posted November 2 2009 at 1:41 AM.
Funnily enough have just played his album -, 'Irish Son' and every song is v heart-felt. I am not into splitting hairs but I think we know where the problems lie.
It's their business, but k needs to get her act in gear - big style. No drugs, drink, fancy cars..............and ditch the loser.
By Elaine. Posted November 2 2009 at 12:55 AM.
How can you feel sorry for her? Hes out in Australia making the money she no doubt gets from him in support payments. He might not be actually putting the food in their mouth but he would sure as hell be paying for it. If she was so worried about his contact with the kids there is such thing as skype and a telephone, maybe she should try letting the kids use them. I dont blame him for being on the other side of the world, am sure at times it doesnt seem far enough away from the hideous cow.
By Brooke. Posted November 1 2009 at 11:30 PM.
my son also has an obstructive ex and his life is not in the same area as his son lives but he is willing to travel miles to have his son for the paltry time she allows, which by the way she changes at a whim because of some family ocassion on her side of the family, doesn't matter that he has a family who live to see him on his fathers side, it's time GOOD fathers had some rights, some women are BITCHES let's face it. Kerry Katona is a waste of space she has kicked in the teeth loads of chances to be a decent person but she's just what is known as one of the underclass we are breeding now, not even lower working class that title is too good for her.
By lizzy. Posted November 1 2009 at 11:51 PM.
Just feel so sorry for her.............x
By Katie. Posted November 1 2009 at 10:28 PM.
Note to Kerry Katona: He lives 10'000 miles away to get away from you - you pathetic attention-seeking cow!
Is Brian not allowed to have a life of his own?
Yes its a shame he has made his home in Australia BUT thats where his new life is and I KNOW he makes his girls a part of that life as much as he can (as much as you will let him that is).
By Carole. Posted November 1 2009 at 6:28 PM.
Brian doesnt have the children his mother does!!
By carole. Posted November 1 2009 at 7:11 PM.
The girls should live with there father they need stability not a life with a mother who for the sake of her children cannot give up drugs and drink ask any child who was bought up in a home where a parent was an alchoholic or drug addict they would say the same I was such a child
By anne. Posted November 1 2009 at 6:32 PM.
Who cares!!!!!!
Kerry Katona is yesterday's news.
She is a has-been.
Kerry - get yourself a proper job and start living in the real world. No-one is interested in you anymore.
By lucy. Posted November 1 2009 at 5:49 PM.
Mel - your comment is so wrong it makes me think you are sad Kerry sticking up for yourself!!
By nikki. Posted November 1 2009 at 3:35 PM.
The children should NOT be with their mother, especially as she recently stated that she can't promise to stay off drugs.
That said, their father has always come across as a wet paper bag with an inane grin etched on it. Still, appearances can be deceiving (can't they Kerry!) and maybe the kids would be better off with him, regardless of where he lives.
By Judy R. Posted November 1 2009 at 1:24 PM.
Kerry doesn't bring her kids up the nanny does. If I was Brian I would have left for australia to be as far away from Kerry as possible. People like her shouldn't be allowed to have kids. Wait till the kids are old enough to have their say. I have a feeling they won't be singing her praises as a mother!!!!!
By calder. Posted November 1 2009 at 1:09 PM.
Kerry there 52 weeks a year ?? don't make me laugh.
She spends of that either taking drugs or on holiday getting drunk.
Does the idiot friend know how many women would love to do the "boring things like bathing them ...", but can't because they can't have childern ? stupid woman.
Why the authorities haven't stepped in on this charade beggers belief - betcha if / when something bad happens to them it will be a case of "they slipped through the net".
By julie. Posted November 1 2009 at 12:44 PM.
sorry, so is brian making his millions in Australia then??? no thought not. so if he were any kind of man he'd b here for his girls as being a parent out weighs how much money you have. but then theres Delta. the only other person he really cares about. niether of them very good parents, is it a case of better the devil you know, than the one who cant be arsed??
By anj101. Posted November 1 2009 at 11:46 AM.
Brian Mcfadden is a good father and i think that he should have full custody of his girls they would be far better off with him that Kerry Katona.
As for why he lives so many miles away - his career in the UK along with fiance Delta Goodrem was ruined when Kerry made him out to be the bad guy when their relationship broke down. How can she expect him to live over here if he cant work and earn money to provide for his girls.
She is a nightmare and it just goes to show it wasnt Brian's fault his marriage to Kerry fell apart imagine what he had to put up with - he deserves a medal for staying with her as long as he did!
By Sarah. Posted November 1 2009 at 10:46 AM.
Kerry protraying herself as a hands on mother just doesn't ring true when she is out a lot of the time and leaving most of the caring to the nanny. She just wants custody or she would lose the maintenance she gets for the children. This druggie and her parasite husband need every penny they can get.
By mari. Posted November 1 2009 at 10:42 AM.
As a mother of 2 i dont consider doing things like homework, bathing my children, taking them to school etc etc 'boring'..... I find it the best thing in the world and when they go to stay with their dad miss it like mad!!!
Cannot stand Kerry Katona and sick of reading week in week out about her....she does nothing at all !!!
Maybe if she got rid of that looser and really got her life back on track and seemed like she even cared about her kids then she might start getting work and giving her children a better life that they deserve
By laney. Posted November 1 2009 at 10:00 AM.
I've always felt Brian has had it easy!
If he cared soooo much he wouldn't have moved half way round the world. I find it funny he then has the nerve to moan he never see's his kids.
I had a dad just like Brian.....useless waste of skin who couldn't step up to the mark!
By dawn. Posted November 1 2009 at 9:59 AM.
I like Kerry but after watching her last show it proved that she could not cope with the children. She would go off for days in a hotel without letting anyone know where she was, what if she was a single Mum with no support, would she have gone and left the kids alone? I say Brian needs to have the girls, at least for now until Kerry gets her act together. She has a bi polar disorder and is on a medication to help control her condition, however, she shouldn't take either illegal drugs or drink alcohol with them! who is caring for Kerry I might ask? she has little support from her Husband Mark, he just buys new cars and does nothing so it seems.
Let's hope Kerry gets back to her old bubbly self, and dumps that no good Husband of hers one day. Get your career back Kerry and let us see the girl we grew to love on I'm a Celebrity.
By kay. Posted November 1 2009 at 9:44 AM.
I blame social services for not removing the kids from an exposed crack-head and her family, never mind allowing the kids to be fed all that junk food from iceland.
By Charlie. Posted November 1 2009 at 9:27 AM.
For Heavens sake.....
you pop the children out - the end. The nanny takes care of them!! You talk to them a few times a day and that qualifies being a good mother? Don't make me laugh woman.
And as for Brian, cripes. He wont move back to the UK and be closer to his daughters because he cant make money here? There's more to being a father than raking in money - get your priorities right man. What a dysfunctional family.
I feel sorry for these children. GET A GRIP ALL OF YOU.
By Jo. Posted November 1 2009 at 9:34 AM.
we have all done things in the past men they just think they can pop in and out ov kids lives if brian has move to oz which is 10,000 miles goes to prove he dont want to see his children he wants to start a new life there if he did get custody they would be pushed onto a nanny while he be off working round the world let the kidz stay where they are they look happy and kerry is a gud mom she always with them not sure on her boyfriend though he just looks like a sponger and looks controlling
By julie stackhouse. Posted November 1 2009 at 9:33 AM.
we have all done things in the past men they just think they can pop in and out ov kids lives if brian has move to oz which is 10,000 miles goes to prove he dont want to see his children he wants to start a new life there if he did get custody they would be pushed onto a nanny while he be off working round the world let the kidz stay where they are they look happy and kerry is a gud mom she always with them not sure on her boyfriend though he just looks like a sponger and looks controlling
By julie stackhouse. Posted November 1 2009 at 9:30 AM.
He doesn't want them, when your a father going through a break up you have to get on with life, if there is no way back together and the kids stay with their mum, then you do things to convenience yourself, and of cause if a new woman is on the scene then you spend time with them and you do things out of the ordinary.
Brian made his life after the break up and went abroad, his partner don't want the kids, as she will see it that he was single when they met, not a single dad
By Graham. Posted November 1 2009 at 9:42 AM.
At no point in the fly on the wall series did you see Kerry have any interation with her kids, it was all Gemma the Nanny.
She was either in bed or going on holiday so don't make me laugh.
In fact no, I can think of one accasion when they were opening Heidis birthday presents with a room full of people, she called Heidi a little cow.....
She doesn't know how to be a Mum.
By Michelle. Posted November 1 2009 at 9:04 AM.
What a looker Delta is no, wonder he left a fatso Kerry Katona.
Any how, of course he wants to see the kids Brian's job means he has to work abroad, eventually he will possibly move back to Britain.
He knows Fatty Katona will try to get the shirt of his back when he does possibly being put up to it by her ageing boyfriend mark.
By Andy. Posted November 1 2009 at 9:10 AM.
its not kerry who does all the cleaning , school runs, feeds the children does the washing etc etc etc its the bloody nanny.
By penny. Posted November 1 2009 at 8:34 AM.
ITS NOT BRIAN THAT RUINED HIS CAREER ITS KERRY.THOSE KIDS NEED A BETTER ROLL MODEL THAN HER.
By sharon. Posted November 1 2009 at 8:30 AM.
I have to agree with Kerry here, seems to me that Brian was happy with his new life with Delta in Oz and the kids would have got in the way, especially as Delta was so young and would not have wanted the kids around. Brian's mum has taken more interest in the kids that Brian has. He comes across as selfish and with no real interest in his kids. Any normal father would have been desperate to take their kids away from kerry considering the various problems she has had and over such a long period of time but he has simply bried his head in the sand to avoid any upheaval in his life.
By Steve . Posted November 1 2009 at 8:11 AM.
The system is all wrong, social services seem to want junkies (thats basically what she is) having their kids before putting them into safety, they also seem to take kids away from mothers who are non junkies and who may have a mental illness or find it hard to cope due to personal circumstances, intead of trying to put support measures in place to temp help them out and keep the kids with their mum. I am disgusted that social services havent taken her children away from her, anywhere would be better for those kids than in that house being brought up by a nanny, she sickens me thew ay she carries on she really does, I have seen one of my best friends who had a fight with her bf being subjected to scrutiny with social work all thru an argument and one hit from her bf (after she slapped him), they put her kids on child protection over one small incident that was 2 years ago, and still she cant get her kids out the system despite being an excellent mum, she never drinks, never goes out her kids are spotless, always food in the house then u get these scumbags high on drink and drugs and no child protection order?? its all wrong
By Gilly. Posted November 1 2009 at 7:59 AM.
Who does Kerry Katona think she is saying Brian is a crap Dad!! She ruined his career with her lies! She is the bad parent and proves it time after time. In her show she Never interacted with her children , it was the nanny that did all the work. I only saw Kerry drinking, smoking, swearing, crying or fighting!! NEVER wiv her children, who is the BAD parent? Kerry!! I also think Brian shud take the 2 girls away frm kerry, and save them frm ending up like her!!
By . Posted November 1 2009 at 7:37 AM.
"if you come for the kids, it will be war"!!!!!
This is from the child that used drugs whilst the kids were in the house!!!!!!!
Bryan get the kids and help them start a new life in ozzie with delta, far better role models than kerry and mark the honey monster!!!!
By linda. Posted November 1 2009 at 7:16 AM.
"It's not Brian who puts food on the table for them every day, takes them to school, does their washing, supervises their homework, gives them baths and does all the boring jobs that go with parenthood."
no it's the nanny!!
By lumboy. Posted November 1 2009 at 6:07 AM.
Think it's obvious to everyone right now that as long as she gets her alimony, then she's happy. Social Services could have given the children to the more stable person of the family, but there policy of 'kids belong with the Mother at all costs' means she's got plenty of income to pay for the kids, but lots of disposable income for her own special pick me ups when they don't require the money.
The Father meanwhile will just have to get used to living without his kids then hope he can pick up the pieces when they're adults and hopefully reform the relationships at the sametime. If our children's courts operated like the US Courts, then I think I'm write in saying the non drug addict gets the children, the addict has to work to get clean not get support from social services in the 'hope' the addict will 'see the light'.
By dave. Posted November 1 2009 at 4:19 AM.
Bryan Mc fadden you are a very selfish man , Leave Kerry and your kids alone ...you decieded you wanted Delta ...Have her and let Kerry do her job and be a mum , can't you see it's hard enough for her as it is ....
By mel. Posted November 1 2009 at 4:26 AM.
No, the nanny looks after them!!
Who in the right mind would work for Kerry Katona, I would work in the sewer first.
By Lou. Posted November 1 2009 at 3:06 AM.
I expect a barrage of support by double standarded Kerry fans here. As a father who split from my childrens mother, I have nowhere nea the same rights or support from the gov't, council, child services that i would if the roles were reversed. Its natural for a child to want to be with their mother but even with hisfame/cash/popularity its unlikely he would have custody. At the time of divorce she swore she never took drugs (a complete lie), smoked when pregnant and has an alcohol problem. As has been said, why shouldn't he try to take the kids away from this parasite. Better late than never but of course the sisterhood is always right!
By David H. Posted November 1 2009 at 3:26 AM.
Whatever - yeh she does do all the 'boring' things associated with parenthood, as do a lot of other mothers who have split from the father of their child/ren. If it's that boring, give him full custody. As someone else said, I am sure his money is helping along the lines to provide for the girls. So what if he is 10k miles away, doesn't mean he isn't thinking of them everday. It's only a day away on a plane & only a phone call away. (speaking from personal experience, we are based in Oz & all our family is back in the UK)
And for the record Clare, Delta is no barbie doll, down to earth girl yes, barbie girl no way.
By Char. Posted November 1 2009 at 3:33 AM.
"why does he live 10,000 miles away?"
Because there's no way on earth he could get further away?
By Tearful Chunt. Posted November 1 2009 at 1:49 AM.
Kerry may put food on the table but it is Brian's money he pays every month that helps that !! Also Brian has also said that he cant come back to the UK or Ireland as he cant make money over here to support his kids. Kerry when Brian and her split up made Brian out to be the bad one the evil one but now we are all relising what Brian had to put up with during his marriage to her. Kerry needs to sort herself out. Neither Brian or Kerry can afford to go through another custody fight and that is WHY Brian has not done it yet. Brian coming back for Stpehen's funeral was also a nice thing of Brian to do. Yes he doesnt visit his kids all the time but he didnt turn up to the funeral for publicuty Brian and Stephen were mates for 11 years so thats why he went. People need to lay off Brian a little No one knows exactually what goes on with him and Kerry for the kids. He says Kerry wont let him see the kids so what can he do !!!!! LAY OFF BRIAN and Kerry get clean!!!!
By Sarah Jane. Posted November 1 2009 at 1:01 AM.
It is evidently more Bryan's mum pushing for custody - If he really loved his Kids he would not live the other side of the world! Kerry has had a hard time but she has been there for her kids. Leave Kerry alone & give Bryan & his Barbie doll the grief!
By Clare. Posted October 31 2009 at 11:29 PM.
If he loves his girls he'd be there for them. Period.
Kerry, for all her faults, has been a better mother than he has been a father.
I'm not a Kerry fan - but she's right to complain about her ex-husband's absence.
His flying in for Gately's funeral says it all. Any publicity is good publicity - as they say.
And if he did get custody - his mother would end up looking after them.
Leave the girls with their mother.
Good luck Kerry!
By Cats. Posted October 31 2009 at 11:31 PM.
Kerry may have her problems but she is correct about Bryan. If he was any sort of dad to his children he would have been over here at the first sign of trouble. When he saw the video of Kerry snorting coke why was he not on the first flight over here and putting in for an emergency order to apply for custody of his children? I'll tell you why! Because he doesn't want them, thats why. Its hard work bringing up children and he doesn't want anything to upset his relationship with his partner. He can bleat as much as he likes about how Kerry is a bad mother and how much he wants his children but if he wanted to look out for them that much then how come he lives thousands of miles away on the other side of the world? The best thing he can do is go back to Australia and stay there. If there was any problem with the way Kerry and Mark look after the children then the Social Services would have stepped in promptly.
By P.Whitehead. Posted October 31 2009 at 10:08 PM.
I think Kerry needs a lot of help. get rid of the sponger, and get her life back on track. She is a nice person deep down.
By maureenbreen. Posted October 31 2009 at 9:47 PM.
I am not a fan of Kerry at all never will be, i do agree though with this story, i seen Bryan on the late late show and it was all about himself,why should the girls be uprooted, he could make more of an effort they are only small for a short while, he will never be as famous in ireland or britain i am sure he can get some employment other dads have to make sacrifices.He just does not want to make any effort what so ever.
By Trudy. Posted October 31 2009 at 8:54 PM.