Max Clifford, the publicist of Kerry Katona, who’s recent This Morning controversy is set to run and run, has hit out at her husband Mark Croft saying he shouldn’t blame interviewers Phillip Schofield and Fern Britton for the debacle.

Talking to The Mirror Clifford said: “I totally disagree (with the statement). They were late going for the interview, had they got there earlier they would have had the chance to speak to people so the interview wouldn’t have happened.

“It’s not Fern and Phil’s fault at all. Any journalist in that situation would naturally have asked ‘why are you slurring?’ I don’t think it’s fair to blame Fern and Phil at all. They have always been very, very kind to Kerry.

“All I can say, if I had been there, she wouldn’t have done the interview. I’ve been looking after Kerry for the past five years and she needs more protection. I knew nothing about this as it was arranged via MTV and Mark took her there. She shouldn’t have done it.”