INTERVIEW: Kian Egan and Jodi Albert on making marriage last in a celebrity world
Interview First Release Date: Feb. 2014
Together for 11 years and still smitten? We want whatever they're sprinkling on their breakfast cereal. Our fave showbiz couple talk romance, bust-ups and making baby number two.
EXCLUSIVE BY GEMMA CALVERT
‘THERE WAS ELECTRICITY FROM THE MOMENT WE MET’
Kian Egan is aghast. “How many do I have to eat for you to know that?” he protests. He’s just overheard his wife, Jodi Albert, saying that if he had to eat one food for the rest of time, it would be burgers. Surely, he says, Jodi should know he’s a sausage-sandwich man? But she argues that her husband is simply impossible to predict. “He’s always changing his mind,” she explains. “It could be burgers today, sausages tomorrow.”
As marital disagreements go, that’s about as narky at it gets between this loved-up duo. It was their super-sweet reunion on last year’s I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! that arguably clinched Kian the King of the Jungle crown. Up to that point, he had been the quiet man of the series, the ex-boy-band member trying to shine amid a sea of stronger personalities.
“When I won that challenge, people got to see a little bit of our relationship,” says Kian, 33. “They saw how much we love each other.” That moment (Jodi, 30, surprised him; he cried, she cried, we cried...) has done for Kian exactly what the famous shower in a white bikini did for Myleene Klass – completely reignited his post-Westlife career. There’s the debut solo album, out next month, a coaching job on The Voice of Ireland and TV presenting gigs. It’s also turned Kian and Jodi (who’s appearing in the latest series of ITV’s The Big Reunion) into the showbiz couple of the moment. Which is a surprise to a pair who largely eschew showbiz dos for cosy nights in at their Essex home with their two-year-old son Koa.
Shortly after our shoot, they’ll be off to Las Vegas for their first co-hosting stint, a Valentine’s Day slot for This Morning. It’s a good fit, as it’s clear they’re genuinely besotted – it’s the tender touches, the sweet glances of reassurance... and the fact that Kian knows every lyric to Jodi’s favourite Beyoncé album. That’s real love.
So, what’s on the agenda for Valentine’s Day?
Kian I’m taking Jodi to Vegas!
Jodi No, honey, ITV are taking us to Vegas.
Kian That’s right – and I’m planning the restaurant in the hotel, the casino, the nightclub and whatever else is in Vegas.
What’s the most romantic thing Kian’s ever done?
Kian For our fifth anniversary, I hired a catamaran to sail around the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii. We had lunch, went diving and swam with turtles.
Oh, you smoothie! How did you first meet?
Kian Backstage at Party In The Park in 1999. Jodi was in her band, Girl Thing, and I was in Westlife. I was standing with Simon Cowell and was like: “Who’s that?” Simon said: “No, no, no kiddo!” He was very protective because Jodi was just 15 at the time. But we flirted for the rest of that day.
Was there an instant connection?
Jodi I saw a picture of Westlife in Simon’s office and all the girls were talking about who was the cutest. My eye went straight to Kian. When I met him, we shook hands and there was actually a little bit of electricity!
Did you start dating straight away?
Kian We didn’t get together for another four years. Jodi was only 15, after all.
Jodi We had our first kiss when I was 17 and he stuck his tongue down my throat. It was the worst first kiss ever!
Kian I was drunk.
Jodi Then, after that kiss, he started going out with another girl instead. It felt like a stab wound.
Ouch. So when did it all come together?
Jodi I was 19, I’d moved to Liverpool for Hollyoaks. We bumped into each other at some showbiz parties, but I always left without saying goodbye.
Kian Then, one night, I invited her to one of our gigs in Manchester. When she walked into the dressing room, I thought: “That’s it. I’m done.”
Did you wait before jumping into bed?
Kian We were together for quite some time. I knew the first time we did anything it would be a big deal.
Jodi I trusted Kian, but I never wanted to be just another lapdog because he had a lot of women that would... [Kian begs Jodi to stop talking] ...have said: “Yes, yes, yes.” For me, it was about respect.
When did you say “I love you” for the first time?
Jodi We were on holiday in Barbados in the sea, and a little tropical rainstorm started. It was a really beautiful moment.
When has it not been perfect between you?
Kian We’ve gone through a lot. I lost my dad [Kevin] to cancer a few years ago and Jodi’s mum [Eileen] has been sick [battling cancer] for a few years. Other negatives were Westlife ending, Jodi’s group, Wonderland, ending and, after we had Koa, Jodi had post-natal depression, which was tough.
Jodi It was probably one of the hardest things I have been through. On the one hand, I was elated to have this beautiful baby, but on the other, I didn’t like myself very much at all. It was very confusing.
Are you worried that you’ll suffer again if you have another baby?
Jodi No. Part of the problem was that I didn’t recognise it, but, having experienced it first hand, I think I’d spot the signs and cope much better.
How did Westlife ending affect your relationship?
Kian The last few years of Westlife were pretty stressful, if I’m honest. I was the one the label called to get everyone together to find a solution to any disagreements, which was a lot of pressure at the time.
We heard there were big arguments in the group...
Kian Differences of opinion. By the time Westlife split [in June 2012] it was a bit of a... [lets out a big sigh of relief]. In a weird way, Westlife ended at a good time for me and Jodi, because we’d just had our baby and I was able to be at home.
Jodi That meant such a lot. He got me through it. He was amazing, my rock.
You said after I’m A Celebrity! that you wanted to have baby number two...
Jodi We’re practising. We had a good old practice the other night, didn’t we?
Kian Babe! [Kian covers his face with his hands.]
How important is sex to your marriage?
Jodi Very. We always say sex is about reconnecting. It definitely brings us closer. As Beyoncé would say: “Put your freakum dress on” and let them remember why they fell in love with you in the first place.
When was your last humdinger of an argument?
Kian Jodi runs away from arguments, so one time I chased her. She got frustrated and threw a bunch of keys at my head!
Jodi I didn’t mean to hurt you, that was an accident.
Kian, have you ever got jealous?
Kian Of course! There was one night, years ago...
Jodi Oh, f**king hell...
Kian ...at the NTAs after-show party, and Jodi got into a cab with Joe Swash and her sister. There was a photo and it looked like she was sat on Joe’s knee. The next day, I rang her and went nuts. I was like: “How dare you? What are you doing to me?!”
Jodi I’d never cheat. I’d known Joe for years.
Jodi, when was the last time you looked at Kian and thought “phwoar!”?
Kian [Bursts into laughter] Never!
Jodi When he put the suit on today.
And Kian, is Jodi sexier when she’s all made-up, like today, or going au naturel?
Kian I like Jodi in her pyjamas, no make-up, on the couch with a blanket around her. Or in the summer, when she’s in her beach clothes with beachy hair... like a surfer chick. She’s just so hot!
You’re not looking bad yourself. Did you work out lots before I’m A Celebrity?
Kian I went surfing for two weeks in El Salvador. I lose half a stone on every surf trip, so when I knew I was doing the show, Jodi said: “Why don’t you go on a surf trip with your buddies?” So, I was like: “OK!”
Who’s got the best voice?
Kian I think Jodi’s a better singer.
Jodi It drives me crazy that he doesn’t rate his voice!
Kian Well, I want to start to – I’m releasing an album!
Are you scared about going solo?
Kian It’s scary and exciting, but why not? I’ve been offered a record deal at 33. It’s the last thing I thought would come from I’m A Celeb!. I wasn’t the lead singer in Westlife and people have a perception...
Jodi That you couldn’t sing.
Kian Yeah, so I’m excited for people to hear me sing.
Apparently, Nicky Byrne was furious that you’d earned £100K on I’m A Celeb! compared to his £60K Strictly Come Dancing salary...
Kian That’s such rubbish. First of all, the money is all wrong. Where did they get these figures from?
So, you didn’t get paid £100,000?
Kian No! Well... I’m not going to go down that road!
Jodi It was [puts on a big booming voice] $5million!
So how are you financially?
Kian We count our lucky stars that we’re financially secure enough to live for the rest of our lives, just about. It definitely wouldn’t be a lavish, big and plush life, but we could just about survive.
Jodi We both come from families that didn’t have money. My dad’s been a market trader his whole life. Kian lived in a three-bedroom house with six other kids.
Finally, what did you think of your Fabulous shoot?
Jodi It was really great, apart from...
Kian ...Working with her wrapped around me.
At least you weren’t naked!
Kian Yeah. I wouldn’t have done it if I was naked!
Additional photography: Rex Features, Xposure Hair: Ben Cooke for Lockonego at Frank Agency Make-up: Lan Nguyen-Grealis at My Management using Giorgio Armani Styling: Kate Barbour Kian wears: shirt, Topman Jodi wears: dress, Scandale This page Kian wears: suit, Marks & Spencer; shirt, French Connection; tie, Marks & Spencer Jodi wears: playsuit, Playful Promises
Source: thesun.co.uk