Kerry Katona is still engaged to Ryan Mahoney despite previously declaring herself to be "single".

The Atomic Kitten star recently sparked reports suggesting she'd split from her fitness trainer fiance when she posted a comment on Instagram next to a video of her and her mum Sue talking to a doctor - and Kerry is adamant she was joking about being single in a bid to cheer her mum up as she battles ill health.

In her column for OK! magazine, Kerry explained: "I’m sure you’ll have all read the 'news’ about me splitting up with Ryan after I flippantly said I was single on my Instagram to make my mum laugh.

"It was a throwaway comment that I made between my mum, my best friend Danielle and me but it all spiralled out of control. If you watch the video on my Instagram, you can hear us talking to the doctor and Danielle left a funny comment underneath asking if he was single. To try and cheer my mum up, I said that I was – but with a laughing face."

Kerry went on to add: "I made a joke but, like any couple, Ryan and I do have hard times and our ups and downs. Sometimes we’re just hanging on by the skin of our teeth but that’s often what happens in a relationship.

"We’ve got a lot more than usual to deal with at the moment, like the kids at home, outside drama and looking after my poorly mum."

Kerry made the comment about her relationship status after her pal wrote a message asking if the doctor shown in the video is single and the former singer replied: "No, but I am!"

Sue has been spending time in hospital after clots were found on on her lungs and Kerry has now revealed she's been staying at her mum's house to take care of her cat.

She added: "It’s been a busy week for me, taking care of my mum and making sure I still spend time with my family. I’ve been staying at mum’s home to look after her cat but I knew the kids were missing me, so I made sure to spend time with them on Bonfire Night.

"When I’m not at the hospital with my mum though, I make sure to FaceTime her."