With the advent of a new series of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, I am reminded of the terrible plight of one Kerry Katona.
After Max Clifford abandoned her recently amid his accusations that she was drinking too much, a TV production company of our acquaintance asked us to meet the much criticized former pop star.
On the basis that you should also take people as you find them, rather than as they are portrayed by other, we agreed.
A meeting was set for 5.30pm in my office in Dean Street, Soho, 10 days ago.
Sadly Kerry did not arrive. I was called to be told that she was too distressed after being booed at the MTV awards the night before.
A new meeting was set up for last Tuesday. This time she did not arrive after she claimed she got half way to us, but had to return home for her medication that she had forgotten.
Another meeting was arranged but this time we stood down on the basis that we were not convinced the much maligned Kerry really wanted to help herself.
Sadly the following day I got a call from Heat magazine to tell me Kerry had been seen outside a London agent’s office hurling abuse at an associate and seemingly worse for wear.
I think we all hope she can pull herself together before it is too late… but the reality TV syndrome is something we are becoming all too familiar with.
Ordinary folk appear on a show, do well and then feel they are an example - or role model - that we should all look up to.
The Apprentice is not like real business. X Factor is not a real talent show and I’m A Celebrity is not a real test of survival - there are 700 staff out there for a start!
There is a real danger that it will end in tragedy… when ordinary people get the chance to experience extraordinary attention and then it is all snatched away from them, it leaves a deep hole, a terrible expectation, than can never be fulfilled.
At PHA Media we have met many people who have been touched by the reality TV genie then cast aside.
Kerry is not unique in being left alone with her demons once the circus moves on…
