Kerry Katona claims she 'literally died' after cocaine overdose caused her to stop breathing

Kerry Katona has told how she stopped breathing after overdosing on cocaine. (PA)
Kerry Katona says she stopped breathing after overdosing on cocaine. (PA)

Kerry Katona has said she "literally died" after a cocaine overdose caused her to stop breathing.

The 40-year-old mother-of-five was reflecting on some of the hardest moments of her life as she discussed her appearance on gruelling survival show Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Katona revealed in her New magazine column: "The amount of coke I was once doing, I literally died.

Read more: Kerry Katona says Celebrity SAS was a form of therapy for her

"I remember coming back [from unconsciousness] with these beautiful figures around me and I felt so much love – that happened to me twice.

Kerry Katona on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins (Channel 4)
Kerry Katona has recalled some of her lowest moments in life after appearing on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. (Channel 4) (Pete Dadds)

"I’d stopped breathing, so I know I have angels looking out for me.

"You can knock me down but you can’t keep me down."

The former Atomic Kitten singer was shown breaking down in tears in the latest episode of the Channel 4 reality show as she was interrogated by ex-Royal Marine Ant Middleton.

Watch: Kerry Katona recalls domestic abuse

But Katona – who has previously revealed she introduced to drugs as a child by her mother Sue – said the military training did not come close to the hardships she had overcome.

She said: "My earliest memory is watching my mum slit her wrists. I was three. She was manic-depressive and self-harmed until I was 15... That's just the way my life is.

Kerry Katona on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins (Channel 4)
Kerry Katona said being shouted at on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins triggered flashbacks to experiencing domestic violence. (Channel 4) (Pete Dadds)

"Everything I've been through, I don't regret one thing – not the drugs, the marriages, the bankruptcy. It's all put me where I am today."

And she also revealed that being shouted at on Celebrity SAS triggered flashbacks to being abused by her ex-husband George Kay, who died in 2019.

Katona said: "It triggered memories of George. The worst thing he did was spit in my face. I got to the point where I would rather take a beating than have him spit in my face."

Read more: Kerry Katona shares peek of 'final' wedding dress

The reality star is competing in Celebrity SAS alongside Strictly Come Dancing pro Ore Aduba, X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, Olympic rower James Cracknell and TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson.

Kerry Katona is among the contestants on the new series of 'Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins'. (Channel 4)
Kerry Katona and the other contestants from the new series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. (Channel 4)

Also taking part in the upcoming series are reality TV star Vicky Pattison, former Loose Women panellist Saira Khan, X Factor contestant Jake Quickenden, ex Love Islander Wes Nelson, footballer Kieron Dyer, Welsh Paralympic athlete Aled Davies and BMX champion Shanaze Reade.

The show's second episode airs on Channel 4 on Sunday 5 September at 9pm.

Watch: Kerry Katona reveals making Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins was like therapy

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