GEORGE Kay, the ex-husband of former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona, died suddenly in 2019 aged just 39.
He and the songstress were married for three years. Here we take a look back at his life, marriage to Kerry and his cause of death.
WHO WAS GEORGE KAY?
George Kay, who hailed from Warrington, passed away aged 39 on Saturday, July 6, 2019.
He reportedly died from a cocaine overdose at his home in Warrington, Cheshire.
Before he came into the spotlight, he had a professional rugby career that ended in France in 2004.
He played as winger for Warrington Wolves and later blamed the lack of money he was making from the sport for leading him down a dark path that resulted in three and a half years in prison for blackmail.
HOW DID GEORGE KAY DIE?
On July 7, 2019, it was revealed that George had passed away from a suspected drug overdose.
He was found collapsed at home and taken to hospital but doctors were unable to save him.
George’s mum was also at the house in Warrington, Cheshire, where he lived.
A source said at the time: “It is no secret that George had experienced problems with drugs.”
Kerry was told of George’s death on July 6 and was left “devastated” by the news.
A friend told the Mirror: “Kerry is heartbroken, he’s DJ’s dad and she loved him once.
“She can’t bear the thought of explaining to her daughter what has happened.”
Then on July 16, 2019 it was reported that George had passed away after “eating a quantity of cocaine” in front of horrified staff at the Holiday Inn in Sutton Weaver, Cheshire.
WHEN DID GEORGE KAY MEET KERRY KATONA?
George met Kerry, 40, as teenagers, but started dating in 2012 after bumping into each other in Warrington.
They married in September 2014, five months after she had their daughter Dylan-Jorge.
When Kerry and George wed, he became step-dad to his new wife’s four children.
In October 2015 ex-Atomic Kitten singer Kerry announced they had split, alleging the one-time Warrington Wolves winger assaulted her.
The pair divorced in 2017, just three years after tying the knot in a romantic Gloucestershire ceremony, surrounded by her five children.
