When our Gavin met Katie Price

Interviewing the multi-talented mother-of-five is a dream come true for our journo.

As Jordan she made her name selling a particular type of glamour. Even as someone who has never paid much attention to that kind of thing, I have to admit she managed to stand out from the crowd.

Before our meeting I discover almost everyone has an opinion on her, based on whether they see her as a model, author, TV star or businesswoman – Katie certainly has many strings to her bow.

As I enter the room the person before me still has the unmistakable face and cleavage of a woman once ever-present in lads’ mags. But something about the scene seems unfamiliar.

On her lap, being gently fed by bottle is fifth child Bunny, born just a few weeks ago. With another child running round the room, clearly the world of modelling isn’t top of her to-do list at the moment.

Whatever else people may think, Katie Price is a hands-on mum. She has every reason to be suspicious of journalists, given some of the coverage her personal life has had.

Despite this she answers my questions enthusiastically and engagingly: “I love being a mum,” she says. “But I love all aspects of my work, they’re all different. My children come before everything, but I still love what I do.”

“If I have a job I make sure it’s booked after I have dealt with the children. If I have TV work then the routine has to be different, but it doesn’t stop me.”

I expected an icon of a certain sort but find I’m speaking to hard-working mum. It comes as a pleasant surprise and I inquire about a typical day in the Price house.

She tells me: “Bunny wakes up first and I have to bottle feed her. Then Harvey wakes up and I have to shower him, get him dressed. He likes to wear his aftershave now he’s a big boy. I change his bed and put the washing on. While that’s doing I do his toast and medication.”

We talk about Harvey, who is now 12. He’s the product of her relationship with footballer Dwight Yorke and was born blind because of a condition known as septo-optic dysplasia. He’s also autistic and finds walking difficult.

“He’s loving school and getting on well,” she says. “He’s still hard work and because he’s going through puberty we have all that to deal with as well as the behavioural problems. His voice has got much deeper.”

The reason Katie has agreed to see me is that she has her latest book to promote. Her novels have broadened her fan base.

“My fan group goes from the really young to the really old. It used to be mainly guys, but now includes women and girls.”

“There’s not that much of me in the books. Normally I put elements of me, but not so much this time. Usually the heroine is a model or singer, but this time it’s a journalist. There’s love, drama, betrayal and there might even be a happy ending.”

Katie has worked hard to balance her work and home life, and her sensible, practical approach is heartwarming. I’m secretly a little disappointed. I was sent to interview a sex goddess and she’s a cross between a 1950s mum and a modern career girl.

Attempts to ask about her love life she’s on her third marriage are deftly sidestepped, but she does admit she wouldn’t change things if given a second chance.

“I wouldn’t change relationships and wouldn’t change my career path. It’s made me who I am today, so I can’t complain.”

Katie says she wants more children, despite knowing how much effort is involved in raising them.

“I want more, but not yet. It’s not as hard as you’d think.”

Given we’re getting on so well, it seems the right time to broach the subject of her famous chest. She’s never been bashful about it, so why should I be?

She confirms she’s planning to have yet another boob job before the end of the year.

“I can’t wait. It’s my Christmas present to myself,” she grins. “Before I had Jett I’d just had my boobs done and they were the best I’d had.”

Since then, two pregnancies have had an impact on her figure. It’s a surreal conversation for a middle-aged man, but with Katie it all feels normal, and not at all salacious.

She tells me she could still be going under the knife when she’s 70.

“There’s no age limit. If it feels right, then I’ll do it.”

As I try to find out more about the real Katie, the woman behind the chest, she welcomes the chance to explain herself and insists people shouldn’t confuse the public image of her with the real woman.

“I’m more down-to-earth than people think. People think that I’m not all there, that I’m erratic, a diva or ‘hard work’. Actually I’m none of those.

“I’m not boring, I like my home comforts. But when I go out I like to have a good time.

“On a Saturday night, I’m the same as anyone else. I watch X Factor and I tape Strictly.”

I come away with a newfound respect for Katie. She’s a normal girl in a niche that’s abnormal. She created Jordan, but doesn’t want to be Jordan all the time. I liked her.

When I ask whether she has dropped the glamour modelling, there’s a hint of regret in her voice when she admits she’d be “straight there” if asked because it’s what she loves.

News that will doubtless come as a relief to legions of male fans. In the meantime, they can always read her books.

Make My Wish Come True, published by Century, is out now.