Katie Price’s famous friend says ‘it’s very hard’ as she issues Lee Andrews verdict

Katie Price’s friend has spoken out about the reality star’s relationship with Lee Andrews

Television personality Lizzie Cundy has defended Katie Price’s romance with Lee Andrews, acknowledging she understands the backlash but maintaining “it’s very hard” to spot red flags when emotions are running high.

Katie, who married Lee in January this year just days after meeting, reunited with the self-proclaimed businessman in Dubai this week after flying out to see him.

Images have surfaced showing Katie and Lee together in a Dubai swimming pool following his release from Al-Awir prison amid fraud allegations, which he denies.

Speaking on Best Magazine UK’s Suddenly Single podcast, Lizzie revealed she sympathises with Katie as speculation continues around her relationship with Lee.

“I just want to say a lot of people are giving Katie Price a lot of stick. But I feel for Katie, because when you’re in it, you can’t see the wood for the trees,” she said, reports the Mirror.

Lizzie went on to draw parallels with her own past experience, revealing: “I went out with someone quite similar to Lee Andrews.”

She detailed how her former partner had been unfaithful and deceitful, saying: “It’s very hard when you’re in it. And I went out with a guy who was not only seeing his former girlfriend behind my back, but would feed me a load of lies. Many women, people coming up to me saying ‘he owes me money’.”

Lizzie admitted she dismissed repeated warnings at the time, revealing that even those closest to her tried to intervene.

“He pretended he was ill, saying that he’d been locked up and couldn’t escape. Very similar. And I would say, I’m not stupid. But because I was so involved, I wanted to believe every lie. And I didn’t think it was a lie.”

She continued: “And it’s really hard when ex-girlfriends, even his former wife, called me and said, ‘Lizzie, please, can you not smell the coffee?’ And I just didn’t want to.”

Lizzie suggested Katie may be in a similar position because of Lee’s personality, explaining: “And I think that’s what Katie’s involved in, because she’s obviously fallen for him big time. And he’s very charming.”

She also warned about his influence, adding: “Lee’s got that charm. I know people laugh at him, but he’s got the gift.”

Lee has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in relation to allegations made against him in recent weeks.

Following his return to Instagram, Lee has made repeated attempts to address the controversy, disputing reports about his legal troubles and insisting there is “not one shred of evidence” to support the claims made against him.

The comments come as Katie Price has opened up about ageing and her health, revealing she is dealing with what she described as an “awful” condition that leaves her “dripping”.

In a recent interview, the 48-year-old discussed everything from her early glamour modelling career to her marriage to Lee, as well as the physical effects of perimenopause.

“Yes! The foggy brain, it’s awful. I can’t even remember my cats’ names. And at night, you’re not just sweating, you’re dripping. It’s horrible what us women go through. Periods slowing down,” she said.

Katie, who has been married four times and has five children, confirmed she is perimenopausal, describing symptoms including memory problems and night sweats.