There are so many strings to this lady’s bow, juggling skills should really go down on the CV as one of them.

Katie Price manages to keep all the balls in the air in her professional roles of model, fashion designer, TV presenter and best-selling author.

She certainly juggles identities – Jordan in her earlier Page Three glamour modelling days, Katie Price where business is concerned, and simply Kate to her mates.

Perhaps the biggest juggling act of them all, though, takes place behind closed doors – that of mum-of-five to Harvey, 12, Junior, nine, Princess, seven, Jett, one, and new arrival Bunny, just two months.

Katie has recently moved the clan into a new Sussex home and put a well-documented rough patch with husband Kieran Hayler behind her with the tweet earlier this month: “So good to be out of that history period and into the new future. Yipppeee! New fresh start.”

She also juggles a menagerie of animals – not only her beloved horses but pigs, goats and chickens. With this superhuman work ethic and that positive, persevering streak to her character, no wonder Katie has won so many fans across Kent.

They’ll be out in force this Friday, October 24, as the shrewd businesswoman signs copies of her 10th novel, Make My Wish Come True, at WHSmith in Maidstone from 4.30pm.

Having sold five million books so far, she’s clearly on a roll as an author.

But when What’s On caught up with Katie ahead of her visit, the 36-year-old told us that modelling remains the role where she is really in her comfort zone.

Katie, have you spent much time in Kent?

“Kent is a massive place, and there’s a lot of lovely countryside but I can’t remember a specific day out there, though Harvey used to go to school in Sevenoaks.”

To say you’re busy is an understatement, but what do you like doing in your rare free time?

“I’m going to the Big Reunion concert soon, all the boy bands – 911 and old-school stuff – but it’s not a girls’ night, it’s all couples. My music tastes are very varied, apart from heavy metal.”

How on earth do you manage work and home as a mum of five?

“It’s all about routine. You just have to find enough time to do everything. It’s organisation, considering I don’t have a nanny and I work as well. I used to have a nanny but I like to do it myself and fit work around schedules.”

Are the kids showing any early signs that they’ve got showbiz in their blood?

“I would say Junior, but not Princess. She’s very outdoorsy, she likes doing the chickens, pigs, goats, riding her pony. Junior’s a more clean-cut show-off who wants to sing and dance.”

Do you spend a lot of time splitting up squabbles between the kids?

“It’s only Junior and Princess that argue.”

You have so many aspects to your career. Which of your roles sits most comfortably with you?

“The modelling because that’s where I started, but it’s a shame that these days I don’t do so much. I would like to do more of it again. I enjoy the sexy, themed shoots.”

Writing is certainly very different. How do you go about creating a novel?

“I come up with a plot with the [ghost] writer, and then we go through each chapter together. I’m not a professional writer. You have to have the imagination to really set the scene.”

Do you use real people you’ve met and situations you’ve experienced as inspiration for your plots?

“Sometimes I might put a bit of truth in stuff. What’s happened recently would make a great novel!”

What approach do you take to your book signings?

“I like to venture out and do signings not too central to London. It’s making the effort to get to more outlying areas. People appreciate it.”

What would you say is the biggest life lesson you have learned during your time in the business?

“This industry can be real fake. You meet people’s persona or the act of them, but I’ve learned not to trust people so easily, which is a shame.”

What have been the most positive aspects?

“I have been able to meet loads and loads of people, to travel, and I’ve had a really good lifestyle.”

Looking back, do you think that you were prepared for all of the attention you received at such a young age?

“I suppose I don’t know any different. To me, it’s normal. I started when I was 17 so it’s all I’ve known.”

MAKE MY WISH COME TRUE

by Katie Price

Storm always wanted to be a celebrity reporter. But when she lands the job of her dreams, it costs her her best friend.

However, apart from the creepy ex-boyfriend, Storm loves the job. Until she’s asked to go undercover to find out whether sexy TV chef Nico Alvise is cheating on his girlfriend. Storm didn’t bank on them falling in love. But Nico has secrets to hide and he hates journalists.

So when he finds out what Storm does, the fallout is brutal.

Suddenly jobless, friendless and heartbroken at the most romantic time of the year, Storm knows that no matter how hard she wishes, Nico will never forgive her…

Katie will be signing copies of her new novel, Make My Wish Come True, at the WHSmith on Week Street in Maidstone on Friday, October 24, at 4.30pm. Visit events.whsmith.co.uk/event/katie-price