Katie Price’s family reportedly have ‘not met’ her new fiancé Lee Andrews and are concerned about the speed of their relationship after finding out about their engagement via social media.
This comes after reports that the former glamour model’s ex-boyfriend JJ Slater has also been ‘blindsided’ by the engagement, just weeks after he and Katie parted ways.
Katie, 47, took to Instagram on Friday night to unveil her massive new diamond ring and romantic proposal in Dubai, initially leaving it unclear who her new betrothed was.
But later posts – including from the man himself – revealed her new fiancé to be Dubai-based British entrepreneur Lee Andrews.
He appears to have got down on one knee in a swanky hotel room with hot tub and rose petals on the floor spelling out: ‘Will you marry me Katie?’
Posing alongside a chocolate cake and two glasses of champagne, Katie showed off her new ring on social media, alongside Lee’s hand, tattooed with her name and ‘11.11’. Later photographs from him revealed that Katie also has a matching, reciprocal tattoo.
But despite the commitment of matching ink, her family was apparently in the dark as to their relationship update.
‘The family found out about the engagement on Instagram – they were stunned,’ a source told The Sun, adding that it ‘came as a massive shock to them all’.
‘Katie’s family are so worried as it’s all happening so fast,’ the insider continued.
‘They were upset when she split with JJ and now they haven’t even met this new man and she’s engaged.’
This came alongside reports that Katie’s ex JJ, 32, has also been ‘blindsided’ by the news.
According to The Daily Mail, sources claimed that it had been a complete shock to the reality star, who is currently in Miami with family and has reportedly been ‘healing his broken heart’.
However he is yet to make any comment himself while on holiday.
According to reports, Katie split with JJ after problems in their relationship became ‘too obvious to ignore’, with the news coming out only earlier this month.
The pair began dating in 2024, regularly appearing at each other’s sides on red carpet events, and they had even spoken about having children together.
When their split came to light after almost two years together, a source claimed Katie had given JJ an ‘ultimatum’ after ‘pushing for marriage and security’.
They also suggested that JJ had ‘checked out’ after he had ‘a lot of pressure put on him’.
However Katie denied that and revealed the real reason for their break-up on her podcast, The Katie Price Show.
‘I didn’t give him an ultimatum at all. To be honest guys, so me and JJ, our relationship for months wasn’t right, but he’s such a nice guy. I cannot fault him in any way possible. There was no ultimatum,’ she said on the January 15 episode.
She also called it ‘absolute rubbish’ that they had split over disagreements regarding getting married and having children.
‘If I’m honest I love the guy, but I’m not in love with him. And what’s the point of carrying on a relationship?’ she continued. ‘Yeah the family love him, all the family love him. But I’m the one going out with him.’
Katie also insisted: ‘There’s no hard feelings, there’s no animosity. I do love JJ though. I’m also older and I don’t want to waste his time, or my time.’
She also confirmed in the same conversation that she and JJ had ‘actually split up a few months ago’, leaving a window for her new relationship with Lee to develop.
This marks I’m A Celebrity star Katie’s ninth engagement, while Lee will be her fourth husband, following on from Peter Andre, with whom she shares children Junior, 20, and Princess, 18.
She then married Alex Reid just a year after her 2009 split from Peter, before they called it quits in 2012, and then moved on with Kieran Hayler, whom she wed in 2013.
They were together until 2021, welcoming children Jett, 12, and Bunny, 11, during their time together.
Katie also has her eldest son, Harvey, 23, whom she shares with ex Dwight Yorke.
Her former fiancés also include Warren Furman (also known as Gladiator Ace), Scott Sullivan, Leandro Penna, Kris Boyson and Carl Woods.
Metro has contacted reps for Katie Price and JJ Slater for comment.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
