She may have had to miss son Max’s 16th birthday celebrations but Kerry Katona has plans to make it up to him after her panto appearance meant she couldn’t attend his big night out

Kerry Katona was forced to miss her son’s 16th birthday celebrations when an urgent work issue popped up.

Max’s mum had to miss a special day out to watch a boxing match due to her panto commitment but vowed to make it up to him. The pair are going to hit the shops together this week after the former Atomic Kitten, who shares the teen with her second ex-husband Mark Croft, took over from Louie Spence in the Robin Hood production and fans were quick to express their concern after Louie pulled out of the show.

Kerry’s lad marked the milestone without her and she recently explained why. Kerry, also mum to Molly, 21, Lilly-Sue, 20 and Heidi, 16, wrote in her New Magazine column: “My Max turned 16 last week, which I can’t believe – I’ve had a kid’s birthday every week recently! He’s going to a boxing match with Ryan and our friend Anthony Fowler to celebrate.

“I can’t go because of panto, which is a shame, but I’m sure they will have a lot of fun. Max is different to the girls and doesn’t like to make a big deal out of his birthday, so I’m just going to take him shopping this week.” It may have been tough to miss out, but those who have attended the show are saying good things.

Kerry had already promised to appear in panto after stepping in for Louis Spence (
Image:
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

Max went to a boxing match but will get some time with his mum soon (
Image:
kerrykatona7/Instagram)

Fans were thrilled Kerry was joining the production but expressed concern for Louie as one said: “Kerry was wonderful last night! To step in at short notice with no rehearsal time is not for the faint hearted! [It] was entertaining, witty and down right hilarious.” Another added: “Gutted that Louie has withdrawn but really hope he is ok, have seen Kerry Katona perform before and she is amazing. Can’t wait to see the show on Thursday evening in Northampton.” Someone else raved: “Well done Kerry… you clearly have a heart of gold.”

Earlier this month Kerry shared her fears at becoming a “burden” on her fiancé Ryan Mahoney. She explained she has anxiety battles so bad she feels as though she can’t breathe and spirals to the point she believes she will die. “I’ve always suffered from anxiety, but over the past couple of weeks it’s been really bad,” she told New magazine. “I don’t know what has triggered it. I kept trying to ignore it, but then on Mother’s Day night it came to a head and I just broke down in tears. My throat was closing up and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. The anxiety has stayed with me ever since.”

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Kerry said her partner is being as supportive as he can be but she feels she is becoming a “burden” to him. “I feel like all I’m doing is crying and saying that I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” she admitted. The TV star said Ryan has been “brilliant” but she “likes to deal with things on her own”.