Katie Price denies 'any venom' against ex-husband at his rape trial

Katie Price has denied having "any venom" against her ex-husband at his rape trial.

Kieran Hayler is on trial at Lewes Crown Court accused of three counts of rape and one of sexual assault against a then-13-year-old girl in West Sussex in 2016, all of which he denies.

When challenged by defence lawyer Arlette Piercy on her view of her ex-husband, Price said: "I don't have any venom against Kieran, it was amicable when we split."

Reality star Price also denied being "angry and vengeful" towards Hayler.

During her evidence to Lewes Crown Court, Price was asked by Piercy if she "loved revenge or is it just TV?".

"It's TV, it's what I say. It's what drives me in my work," Price said.

Piercy told Price: "You are angry and vengeful towards the defendant Kieran Hayler, you have evidenced a vendetta against him over a number of years."

Price also said she was using "a figure of speech" when she messaged the teenage girl allegedly raped by her then-husband.

Jurors had previously seen messages sent between Price and the girl, then aged 14, in which the media personality said she had heard Hayler and the girl kissed and he had "tried it on" with her, adding: "I'm only asking as this is a serious allegation."

The teenager replied that it was "just a flirt thing" and "nothing happened".

Price then asked: "Did he kiss you? I won't bring up anymore just want truth. I will make you a little star."

Asked in cross-examination about use of the phrase "little star", Price said: "That's a figure of speech."

Piercy then asked: "When you use that figure of speech, what did you mean?"

Price replied: "I don't know, when she was 13 there's no agenda or nothing behind it.

Hayler, 39, has suggested his ex-wife "launched a campaign" against him when their marriage ended and the allegations form part of this, the court previously heard.

Hayler was married to media personality Price at the time of the allegations, before the couple's relationship broke down in 2018 and they divorced in 2021.

The trial previously heard that the alleged victim first contacted the NSPCC in 2021 over the allegations, who then referred her to the police, prompting the investigation.

The alleged victim is not part of Hayler or Price's extended families.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook , on X , and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds . Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

Katie Price 'really shocked' by ex-husband rape claims

Katie Price 'angry' when told of ex's rape claim

Katie Price messaged ex's rape accuser, court told