Kerry Katona is reported to be "devastated" following the death of the man she regarded as her real father.
Katona's stepfather, 78-year-old Arnold Ferrier, passed away yesterday morning in Texas.
The former Atomic Kitten star had hoped to be at his bedside when he died but did not manage to arrive in the US on time. She flew out to the US from Manchester early yesterday morning with her stepsister.
Her spokeswoman said: "Kerry was told last week that he had been diagnosed with cancer. She received a call yesterday saying he had taken a turn for the worse. She was desperately trying to get over there to be at his bedside."
The 27-year-old never knew her biological father and her spokeswoman said she regarded Mr Ferrier, who was briefly married to her mother during her early childhood in Warrington, as her true father and remained close to him.
Yesterday Katona said: "To me he was my real dad, a lovely man who I love and will really miss."
Mr Ferrier retired to Texas but split his time between there and Warrington. It is unclear whether his funeral will take place in America or England.
