Katona in clinic after knife-raid ordeal

Kerry Katona has checked into the Priory clinic following the knifepoint robbery at her home.

The 26-year-old is being treated for bipolar disorder, a form of manic depression which she has battled for several years.

Her condition has deteriorated since the terrifying armed raid in which she and her five-month-old daughter, Heidi, were held hostage at their home.

Katona’s spokesman, Max Clifford, said: “Kerry has gone into the Priory. Bipolar disorder is something she has suffered from for some time, and the condition has, of course, been very much brought on by what happened.

“She has been treated in the Priory before so they know her problems and her symptoms. It was a question of getting her there as quickly as possible so she can receive the right treatment.”

Katona is expected to remain in the London clinic for up to two weeks.

Three masked robbers raided the £1.5m (€2.2m) home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, which the former Atomic Kitten star shares with husband Mark Croft.

The gang was armed with a crowbar, sledgehammer and large kitchen knife.

One of them held a blade to Katona’s throat as she cowered with her baby daughter, while another took Croft, 36, through the house as they grabbed tens of thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and electrical equipment.

They also took the couple’s BMW M5.

Katona was left “absolutely distraught” by the raid.

Her two young daughters by ex-husband Brian McFadden were not in the house at the time.