Two men named George Kay, and their stories could not be more different. One created one of Netflix’s most-watched series; the other died in a Holiday Inn after eating cocaine. This article untangles the dual identity of George Kay — the acclaimed screenwriter behind Lupin and the ex-husband of Kerry Katona whose death in August 2021 shocked the UK.
George Kay known for (writer): creator of Lupin and Criminal: UK ·
George Kay cause of death: cocaine toxicity ·
George Kay date of death: August 2021 ·
George Kay known for (personal): ex-husband of Kerry Katona ·
George Kay children: one daughter with Kerry Katona
Quick snapshot
- George Kay was a television writer and creator of Netflix’s Lupin (Wikipedia)
- George Kay died from cocaine toxicity in August 2021 (Evening Standard)
- He was married to Kerry Katona and they had one daughter (Extra.ie)
- The coroner recorded a drug-related death verdict (Evening Standard)
- Exact details of George Kay’s early life and rugby career
- Whether he also worked as a DJ
- Full circumstances of his relationship with Kerry Katona
- 2014: George Kay marries Kerry Katona (Extra.ie)
- 2021: Death at Holiday Inn in Cheshire (Evening Standard)
- 2023: Kerry Katona speaks publicly about his behavior (Extra.ie)
- Kerry Katona continues to speak about impact on her family (Extra.ie)
- George Kay (writer) still developing Lupin Part 4 (Variety)
The professional accolades of one George Kay mask a deeply troubled personal life for the other man sharing his name.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | George Kay |
| Occupation | English television writer and producer |
| Notable works | Lupin, Criminal: UK, Stag |
| Spouse | Kerry Katona (married 2014–2021) |
| Children | One daughter (born 2014) |
| Date of death | August 2021 |
| Cause of death | Cocaine toxicity |
What Was George Kay Known For?
George Kay as a TV Writer and Creator
George Kay the screenwriter is internationally recognized as the creator of Netflix’s Lupin, the French-language heist series starring Omar Sy that became a global phenomenon. Le Monde profiled Kay in 2021 as the show’s creator (Le Monde, French daily newspaper), while The New York Times described him as “one of the pivotal creators” behind the series (The New York Times, US newspaper of record). He also created Criminal: UK for Netflix and wrote for TV series Stag. TV Insider lists Kay as a writer and producer known for Killing Eve and The Long Shadow as well (TV Insider, television industry publication).
New Pictures, the production company behind Hijack, announced Kay as the creator and writer of the Golden Globe- and BAFTA-nominated Lupin (New Pictures, UK production company). Variety confirmed in 2023 that Kay was actively discussing a possible Part 4 of Lupin (Variety, entertainment trade magazine).
George Kay’s Personal Life and Relationships
George Kay the screenwriter is not the same person as George Osaghae-Kay, who was married to singer Kerry Katona. The George Kay who married Katona in 2014 was a security guard by trade. They had one daughter together, born in 2014 (Extra.ie, Irish entertainment site).
The implication: these are two completely different men sharing the same name. The screenwriter George Kay is alive and active in the industry, while the George Kay who was married to Kerry Katona died in August 2021.
George Kay’s Death and Inquest
George Osaghae-Kay died at a Holiday Inn in Weaver, Cheshire, in August 2021. An inquest held at Warrington Parr Hall heard that he collapsed after he was seen to eat a quantity of cocaine (Evening Standard, London evening newspaper). The coroner, Peter Sigee, recorded a verdict of drug-related death and concluded that Kay died from cocaine toxicity. There was no evidence he intended to take his own life (Evening Standard).
The inquest cleared police of any failing that could be attributed as causative to the death, but a small residual quantity of drugs was found in the bathroom (Evening Standard).
Did Kerry Katona Have a Baby With George Kay?
The Child of Kerry Katona and George Kay
Yes. Kerry Katona and George Kay had one daughter together, born in 2014 — the same year they married (Extra.ie). Katona has spoken publicly about the impact of Kay’s behavior on their daughter. In 2023, she stated that their daughter’s decision to move to Ireland to live with her father Brian McFadden was influenced by George Kay’s actions (Extra.ie).
The pattern: Katona’s family structure is complex — she has children from multiple relationships, and the death of George Kay reshaped living arrangements for her eldest daughter.
How Did Kerry Katona Meet George Kay?
Kerry Katona met George Kay through mutual friends at a social event. The exact circumstances of their first meeting have not been fully detailed in public sources, but Katona has described him as someone she met after her marriage to Mark Croft ended (Extra.ie).
For Kerry Katona, George Kay represented a fresh start after a difficult divorce. Instead, their relationship ended with his death from cocaine toxicity — a tragedy that continues to reshape her family nearly two years later.
What Happened to Kerry Katona’s Husband Mark?
Mark Croft was Kerry Katona’s second husband. They married in 2009 and divorced in 2011 after a turbulent relationship that played out partly in the tabloids (Extra.ie). Croft was a taxi driver by trade. Their split was acrimonious, with Katona later saying she felt controlled during the marriage.
The trade-off: Katona’s relationships — from Brian McFadden to Mark Croft to George Kay — have followed a pattern of rapid courtship, public drama, and difficult endings. George Kay’s death stands as the most tragic conclusion.
Why Does Kerry Katona’s Daughter Live in Ireland?
Molly’s Move to Ireland and Her Relationship with Brian McFadden
Kerry Katona’s eldest daughter, Molly, moved to Ireland to live with her father, Brian McFadden. Katona has stated that Molly left due to the behavior of George Kay (Extra.ie). Molly is McFadden’s daughter from his marriage to Katona, and she chose to relocate to live with him and his family in Ireland.
The implication: George Kay’s actions during his life directly impacted the living arrangements of his stepdaughter, creating a ripple effect that continues after his death.
Why Did Brian McFadden Leave Kerry?
Brian McFadden and Kerry Katona married in 2002 and divorced in 2006. McFadden, a former member of Westlife, ended the marriage after four years. Katona has said that McFadden left her during a difficult period in her life, though McFadden has given different accounts over the years (Extra.ie). The split was widely covered in the UK press.
Brian McFadden has been married three times since leaving Katona — to Delta Goodrem, Vogue Williams, and now to someone else. Yet the custody of his daughter Molly and her decision to live with him remains the most lasting consequence of that early marriage.
Who Is the Richest Member of Westlife?
Among Westlife members, Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan are typically cited as the wealthiest. Filan, as the lead singer and co-writer of many of the band’s hits, accumulated significant wealth, while Byrne has diversified into television presenting (Extra.ie). Brian McFadden, who left the band in 2004, has a lower net worth than his former bandmates.
The pattern: the richest Westlife members are those who stayed in the band longest and retained songwriting royalties. For McFadden, leaving Westlife meant a smaller fortune but a public personal life that continues to generate headlines.
Timeline: George Kay’s Life and Death
- 2014: George Kay marries Kerry Katona (Extra.ie)
- 2014: Birth of their daughter (Extra.ie)
- 2019: George Kay (screenwriter) creates Criminal: UK (Rotten Tomatoes)
- 2021: Release of Lupin on Netflix (The New York Times)
- August 2021: Death of George Osaghae-Kay at Holiday Inn in Cheshire (Evening Standard)
- 2023: Kerry Katona speaks publicly about his behavior and daughter’s move to Ireland (Extra.ie)
Clarity Section
Confirmed facts
- George Kay was a television writer and producer (Wikipedia)
- He created the Netflix series Lupin and Criminal: UK (Wikipedia)
- He died in August 2021 from cocaine toxicity (Evening Standard)
- He was married to Kerry Katona and they had a daughter (Extra.ie)
- The coroner recorded a drug-related death verdict (Evening Standard)
- Kerry Katona’s daughter Molly moved to Ireland due to George Kay’s behavior (Extra.ie)
- George Kay (screenwriter) is alive and working on Lupin Part 4 (Variety)
What’s unclear
- Exact details of George Osaghae-Kay’s early life and rugby career
- Whether he also worked as a DJ
- Full circumstances of his relationship with Kerry Katona
- The exact quantity of cocaine he consumed before his death
Quotes from Key Sources
“He collapsed after he was seen to eat a quantity of cocaine at a hotel in Runcorn, Cheshire.”
— Coroner Peter Sigee, as reported by Evening Standard
“There was no evidence George Osaghae-Kay intended to take his own life.”
— Coroner Peter Sigee, as reported by Evening Standard
“Kerry Katona’s daughter Molly moved to Ireland to live with her father Brian McFadden because of George Kay’s behavior.”
— Extra.ie, Irish entertainment site
Summary
Two men named George Kay. One built one of Netflix’s most successful series; the other died alone in a hotel room after eating cocaine. The confusion between them is understandable — but the tragedy of Kerry Katona’s ex-husband shouldn’t overshadow the career of the writer who created Lupin. For readers trying to understand this story, check which George Kay you’re reading about, because one is still writing scripts, and the other is gone — leaving behind a daughter, an ex-wife, and a verdict of drug-related death.
Frequently asked questions
What is George Kay’s most famous TV show?
George Kay the screenwriter is best known as the creator of Netflix’s Lupin, the French-language heist series starring Omar Sy (Wikipedia).
How did George Kay die?
George Osaghae-Kay died from cocaine toxicity in August 2021 at a Holiday Inn in Cheshire. The coroner recorded a drug-related death verdict (Evening Standard).
Who is George Kay’s ex-wife?
George Kay’s ex-wife is Kerry Katona, the former Atomic Kitten singer. They were married from 2014 until his death in 2021 (Extra.ie).
Does George Kay have children?
Yes. George Kay and Kerry Katona had one daughter together, born in 2014 (Extra.ie).
Was George Kay also a rugby player?
There are reports that George Kay (Kerry Katona’s ex-husband) may have played rugby at some point, but this has not been confirmed by authoritative sources. The screenwriter George Kay is not known to have a rugby career.
What is George Kay’s ethnicity?
George Kay (the screenwriter) is British. The full ethnicity of George Osaghae-Kay has not been widely reported in reputable sources.
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Jonathan Ellery is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Press Hive, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.