Katie Price has opened up in an emotional podcast episode about the challenges of caring for her son Harvey, revealing that the 24-year-old is now back living with her full-time after struggling significantly in his supported independent living placement. Speaking on The Katie Price Show, the former glamour model described how Harvey has been spending far more time at home than usual, a shift that friends and followers have already begun to notice.
Normally based at a specialist facility, Harvey has found the transition to independent living difficult, frequently reaching out to his mother with messages that tug at the heartstrings and highlight the deep bond they share.
In the candid discussion, Katie explained that people have started commenting on Harvey’s increased presence at home. “I think people are noticing I’ve got Harvey here more than I normally do,” she said. “Normally he’s in Cheltenham.” But recent changes in his care arrangements have brought him back under her roof more often than not. Harvey, who has Prader-Willi Syndrome—a rare genetic condition that affects appetite, growth, and behaviour—has long required specialised support.
He previously attended a residential further education college in Cheltenham designed for young people with complex disabilities, a placement that began in 2021 and provided structure and care tailored to his needs. However, funding for that college was cut in 2024, forcing the family to seek alternative arrangements.
Following the loss of the Cheltenham placement, Harvey moved into supported independent living. Southampton was used as a temporary base while the family waited for a more permanent solution. Katie revealed that this new environment has not suited her son well. When he is there, he frequently texts her with raw, emotional pleas. “When he’s there, he texts me, ‘I hate it here, Mum. I just need you. I want your cuddles, hold my hand,’” she shared.
These messages have left Katie feeling torn, describing them as heartbreaking to receive while she tries to balance her demanding work schedule with her role as Harvey’s primary carer. “And it pulls on your heart,” she added. “So I’ve got him here and it’s hard because I’m working and his carer at the same time.”
The situation underscores the ongoing difficulties many families face when navigating care systems for adults with disabilities in the UK. Harvey’s journey has involved several adjustments over recent years. After the Cheltenham college funding ended, the move to supported living in Southampton was intended as a bridge. Katie explained that they are still awaiting his next placement, which is expected to begin next month and will be located much closer to her home. This proximity, she hopes, will bring greater stability and happiness for Harvey, who clearly thrives in her presence.
The former model has been open in the past about the realities of raising a child with complex needs, including through the BBC documentary Harvey and Me, which offered an intimate look at their daily life and the unique challenges Prader-Willi Syndrome presents.
Prader-Willi Syndrome affects Harvey’s hunger regulation, leading to an insatiable appetite if not carefully managed, alongside other developmental and behavioural aspects that require round-the-clock support. Katie has often spoken about the importance of routine and emotional security for her son. His recent texts reveal a longing for the comfort and familiarity only his mother can provide—simple gestures like cuddles and hand-holding that ground him amid uncertainty. This return to living primarily with Katie comes at a time when she herself has been dealing with significant personal pressures.
She recently returned from Dubai, where she was gathering information about the detention of her husband, Lee Andrews, in Al Awir prison. Reports suggest he was arrested on suspicion of espionage, though it is understood the matter is a private civil dispute. Katie has been vocal about supporting him through what she describes as a difficult situation, including efforts to raise awareness via platforms like GoFundMe.
Balancing these family responsibilities with her public career has never been easy for Katie. As a well-known figure who rose to fame as a glamour model and later became a reality television star, she has frequently invited cameras into her life. Yet the raw vulnerability she displayed on the podcast highlights the private toll that caring for Harvey takes. She has described the emotional weight of receiving those messages from her son while trying to maintain professional commitments.
Work often takes her away from home, yet Harvey’s needs mean she must juggle schedules meticulously, sometimes relying on additional carers even when he is staying with her. The strain is evident in her words, but so too is her unwavering commitment to his wellbeing.
Harvey’s story resonates with many families across the country who encounter similar obstacles when funding changes or placements fall through. The transition from structured residential college life to more independent settings can be jarring for young adults with complex conditions like Prader-Willi Syndrome. Katie has emphasised that Harvey is happiest when surrounded by the love and familiarity of his immediate family. His preference for being at home rather than in Southampton reflects a broader need for emotional security that institutional settings sometimes struggle to replicate fully.
The upcoming placement closer to Katie’s home represents a potential turning point, one the family is eagerly anticipating. She expressed hope that this new arrangement will reduce Harvey’s distress and allow him greater independence without the isolation he currently feels.
Public reaction to Katie’s update has been largely supportive, with many praising her honesty about the realities of caregiving. Social media has seen an outpouring of messages from parents in similar situations, sharing their own experiences of navigating care systems that can feel fragmented and under-resourced. Harvey himself has become a familiar face to audiences through his mother’s platforms and the BBC documentary, endearing himself with his warmth and personality. At 24, he is at an age where many young adults are forging independent paths, yet his condition necessitates ongoing support that evolves with his needs.
Katie’s openness on the podcast also sheds light on the financial and logistical pressures involved. Finding suitable placements for adults with disabilities often involves lengthy waits and bureaucratic hurdles. The family’s experience—from the Cheltenham college to the temporary Southampton base and now the pending new location—illustrates the instability that can arise when funding priorities shift. Katie has not shied away from discussing these challenges publicly, using her platform to advocate for better resources while also sharing the personal joys and struggles of motherhood.
As Harvey settles back into life at home for the time being, Katie continues to manage the dual roles of mother and carer alongside her work commitments. The emotional texts from her son serve as a constant reminder of the deep connection they share and the importance of presence in his life. With the new placement on the horizon, there is cautious optimism that stability is within reach. Until then, the family is focusing on the present, cherishing the time together and navigating each day with resilience.
Katie Price’s revelations offer a glimpse into the complexities of raising a child with special needs in the public eye. Her willingness to discuss the heartbreak of Harvey’s messages and the practical difficulties of caregiving humanises a story that might otherwise remain private. For Harvey, the comfort of being home with his mum appears to be the anchor he needs most right now.
As the weeks pass and the new placement draws nearer, both mother and son will be hoping for a smoother chapter ahead—one where the longing expressed in those texts can finally give way to greater contentment and security. The bond between them remains unbreakable, a testament to the enduring power of family amidst life’s uncertainties.
