Kerry Katona: 'I'm an alcoholic'

Troubled star Kerry Katona has publicly admitted that she is an alcoholic for the first time.

The former Atomic Kitten singer told The People that she was diagnosed four years ago following a stint in The Priory rehab clinic.

"Along with my bipolar disorder this is an ongoing battle I will face for the rest of my life," Katona explained in an interview with the newspaper. "Yes, I still have a drink when I want to, like any other 28-year-old woman.

"Some people think that an alcoholic is someone who drinks all the time but in fact it can be someone who drinks twice a month and gets hammered.

"During my worst drinking bouts I'd easily knock back ten to 15 shots of vodka or peach schnapps. I can get through days without having a drink but it's hard. I can never promise myself or my family that I can beat this addiction but I'll try bloody hard."

Despite her confession, the reality TV star is continuing to insist that her bipolar medication was responsible for her slurred speech in an interview with This Morning last month.

Meanwhile, Katona's husband Mark Croft claimed that she has her problem under control, explaining: "I would say she only drinks about twice a month, if that. We are quite boring people really."