Kerry Katona's husband George Kay in hospital after showing 'signs of a stroke'

Kerry Katona has asked fans to pray for husband George Kay after he was rushed to hospital with "signs of a stroke".

Taking to Twitter on Thursday night (25 June), the former Atomic Kitten singer broke the news that her partner had been taken ill to her 442K followers.

Kay also jumped on social media to tell well-wishers that he hoped he had actually suffered Bell's palsy – a condition that causes temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles in one side of the face – rather than a stroke.

The pop-turned-reality-star said "I do" to former rugby player Kay at the prestigious Totworth Court Four Pillars Hotel in South Gloucestershire. Katie Price served as one of her bridesmaids.

Kay's hospital dash comes just months after the couples' marriage was rocked by divorce rumours. In December 2014, they showed a united front during an appearance on ITV's This Morning.

"It's absolute baloney – it's all made up!" Katona told the show's presenters Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden.

"I'm happy with my husband, my kids are happy, everyone's happy! Since my life has turned around for the better, it seems they [the press] have to make something up..."

In May, Kay hinted that there was trouble in paradise when he admitted that marriage was not what he thought it would be.

He told Closer magazine: "We've been rowing a lot. Marriage isn't what I thought it would be if I'm honest. I thought it would be all sunshine and happiness, but it's really hard work – especially for us.

Katona had previously married former Westlife star Brian McFadden and taxi driver Mark Croft.

Among her children are Molly, 12, and 11-year-old Lilly-Sue from her marriage to McFadden, while Croft is the father of Heidi, seven. She has had Max and a baby girl named Dylan-Jorge with Kay.