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Katie Price lines up McCartney's lawyer for divorce
By Georgina Littlejohn Last updated at 11:01am on 15.05.09Katie Price has hired celebrity divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton to handle her split from husband Peter Andre, it was reported today.
Price, 30, wants Mrs Shackleton, nicknamed the Steel Magnolia for her fearsome reputation, to represent her in case she and Andre, 36, end up in court.
The glamour model is determined to keep her estimated £40m fortune and was said to be impressed by the way the lawyer acted for Sir Paul McCartney in his acrimonious divorce battle with ex-wife Heather Mills. Mrs Shackleton also represented Prince Charles in his £17m payout to Diana.
Before the split: Peter and Katie
Experts said Andre would be entitled to up to £6m, half what Price has earned since they married in 2005. But the singer apparently told friends that he is not entitled to a penny because they signed a pre-nuptial agreement and he has no interest in staking any claim to her millions.
Price and Andre, who met on reality TV show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2004, announced on Monday that they were separating after three-and-a-half years' marriage.
Andre left for Cyprus to be comforted by friends and family, while Price fled to a £2,800-a-night bolthole in the Maldives, taking their two children, son Junior, three, and 21-month-old daughter Tiaami. A source said: “She wanted to be alone with the children. She feels happy and secure in the Maldives.”
Fearsome reputation: celeb lawyer Fiona Shackleton
But Price says she was devastated to leave her son Harvey, seven, in the UK because of medical reasons. The seven-year-old, who was born blind and suffers from autism, needs constant specialist care.
Writing on her Twitter page, Price said, “Missing Harvey soo much wish he was here but had 2 stay at home for his routine an health an did not want to disrupt that”.
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Reader views (11)
Oh please - I've only just stopped laughing reading Vera's comments! Who cares!! It a big pantomime - get a life, a real one please!
- Mandy, London
Publicity stunt ! Nothing else.
- A, Lon
What the money he SHOULD be entitled to that they made as a couple, she shouldn't get to keep that!
I'm sure we'll be reading all the facts in the OK! magazine before long.
- Julie, London
This is sooooooooooooooooo tragic. Does true love count for nothing these days? I could have sworn that these two really and I mean really loved each other. I know what Pete's trying to do and I respect him for that. I only hope he will not drag this for too long , I think Katie's got the message now, Please pete she needs you. you are the best thing that's happened to her. And for you cynics out there, I personally don't think this is a publicity stunt. Remember their wedding? I have never forgotten the true emotion Peter showed and I know this is breaking his heart but even he knows he's got to help her from self destructing. But remember Pete you're not alone , love will make a way.
- Vera, Bucks
I cannot believe that they are just gonna get divorced! Can't they at least try to make it work? I am shocked as I really believe that they love each other. This is riddýculous.
- Derya, Cyprus
Shes playing a game, rushing to divorce lawyers to scare him, shes controlled him for 3 half years, he took the reins by leaving her and so he should she speaks to him like a pig,, shes now taken back the control of the game. I hope he does keep away from her she makes me cringe what comes out of her mouth its embaressing. Hes the one whos going to suffer because he loves his kids so much. thats obvious to anyone.
- Jajacjon, london
What a shame that, with such a good lawyer on her side, Peter Andre won't be able to take this monstrous woman to the cleaners! I don't know how the guy managed to stomach being married to her for so long.
- Sarah, London
Get rid of him Katie! you can definitely do so much better
- Em, London
Please Ms Shackleton don't take her on - she's ghastly!
- Serena, London
I don't suppose it'l be long before they get back together. However, if they do truly divorce then that vile woman should be happy to pay a decent settlement to Pete for all the support he has given to her and Harvey whilst she works on her career. At the same time, I would hazard a guess that he is a fairly decent person (unlike Heather Mills) and doesn't expect a huge payout.
- Real, London
The Price Andree divorce story is just a desperate stunt aimed at getting publicity.
- Keith Price, Luton, England
