Gosselin: 'I've been targeted, torn apart'

Rex Features

Kate Gosselin has claimed that she has been "targeted" and "torn apart" by the constant speculation surrounding her private life.

Speaking on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, the mother-of-eight admitted that she understood why the public were so fascinated by her family.

"I think certain events take place that make us sitting ducks," People quotes her as saying.

"That makes us easy targets. Certain ones of us speak a lot, others of us prefer to keep our mouths shut."

When asked by DeGeneres whether it helped when people talked about her private life, she said: "I just know that, on TV or off TV, I've been very much targeted and torn apart."

She added: "I'm telling you [from] the root of my heart everything about me, I am a mother first. I will always be a mother and I would die for my kids if need be.

"My focus is them. It's not the paparazzi. My focus is not what trip I can go on or what shows I can do as a result of this thing. This is my job. This is my paycheck and so this is what I do."

Gosselin, 34, announced her split from husband Jon in June