Kerry Katona feels “depressed” at the thought of “going back down south”

However, she has recently been house-hunting close to her family while in the area for her aunt’s funeral and can’t bear the thought of returning to her home again, even though finding a new abode has proven to be tricky.

Writing in her New! magazine column, she said: “I’ve been staying up north since my auntie’s funeral as we’ve been busy house-hunting here. It’s been a bit of a nightmare to be honest.

“We’ve seen loads that we like but it’s a stressful process. But I’m hopeful we’ll find our dream home.

“The thought of going back down south actually makes me feel depressed.

“I’ve been there for 13 years now and I’ definitely ready to come back up North.

“My mum’s here, my family are here and my friends are here.

“It’s just me, the kids, and Ryan down there. It’s been a long time coming.”

Kerry revealed last month she wanted to move closer to her mum, Sue.

The 40-year-old star said: “I am considering moving back up North because I want to be closer to my friends and my mum.

“Nothing is set in stone yet, but we’ve been thinking about it for a while.

“It would be nice to just have someone to go for a coffee with and then my mum can help out with childcare. We will see what happens.”