Michelle Heaton appears downcast on stroll as she vows to support close pal Katie Price

Michelle Heaton appeared downcast while out on a stroll in London on Friday, after she vowed to support her pal Katie Price after her drink and drug-fuelled car crash. 

Walking her dog and dressed in a red puffer jacket and black leggings, Michelle, 42, looked to be deep in thought following the news Katie, 43, is facing jail after pleading guilty to a slew of motoring offences.

The glamour model has checked into The Priory rehabilitation clinic to treat her drink and drug problems.   

Downcast: Michelle Heaton (pictured), 42, appeared downcast on a stroll in London on Friday as she vows to support close pal Katie Price following her drink and drug-fuelled car crash

Michelle finished off her athletic look with a black beanie and two-toned sneakers.

She swept her brunette locks back off her face, underneath her beanie, and looked to have worn minimal makeup for the outing. 

Earlier this week, the Liberty X star shared a statement confirming she’ll support her close pal Katie ‘in private’.   

Legal troubles: The Liberty X singer looked to be deep in thought following the news Katie, 43, is facing jail after pleading guilty to a slew of motoring offences

Legal troubles: The Liberty X singer looked to be deep in thought following the news Katie, 43, is facing jail after pleading guilty to a slew of motoring offences 

Low-key: Michelle donned a red puffer jacket, black leggings, two-toned sneakers and a black beanie for the outing

Low-key: Michelle donned a red puffer jacket, black leggings, two-toned sneakers and a black beanie for the outing 

Taking to Instagram, the star asked fans to ‘give her space’ so she can be there for her friend and her family, and urged her followers to ‘ask for help’ if they need it. 

On her grid, Michelle noted that Katie was a huge support to her while she battled alcohol addiction and she intends to do the same in the wake of her charges.

She wrote: ‘As you all know, Katie was there for me when I needed her and I of course am there for her!

Statement: Earlier this week, Michelle shared a statement confirming she 'won't be talking' about Katie, after the star was charged with driving while disqualified and without insurance. Pictured with Katie, 43, in January 2010

Statement: Earlier this week, Michelle shared a statement confirming she ‘won’t be talking’ about Katie, after the star was charged with driving while disqualified and without insurance. Pictured with Katie, 43, in January 2010

‘Right now, please give us all space. And sorry to those requests to myself and my manager, we will not be talking about this or doing any interviews about it, unless Katie herself or her family wish me to.

‘Our friendship over 21 years is built on trust. At this point I just reiterate what her family have already said and will support all in private.

‘To anyone else out there who needs help – ask for it and you’ll be surprised at the support that’s given to you. Asking is the hardest but first step.’

Speaking out: Taking to Instagram, the star penned a lengthy statement confirming she'd be privately supporting her friend and her family, and urged her fans to 'ask for help' if they need it

Speaking out: Taking to Instagram, the star penned a lengthy statement confirming she’d be privately supporting her friend and her family, and urged her fans to ‘ask for help’ if they need it

It came following reports that Michelle ‘begged’ Katie to seek help for her demons after she was arrested following her car crash.    

The singer, who herself faced her own drink and drug battle earlier this year, is reportedly ‘desperately worried’ for the former glamour model who paid a pivotal role in helping Michelle in her recovery. 

A source told The Sun Online: ‘Michelle’s desperately worried about Katie and wants her to get help. Katie saved her life now she wants to repay the favour. She saw Katie last week and knew something wasn’t right – and today’s news only confirms her fears.’

Worried: It came following reports that Michelle 'begged' Katie to seek help for her demons after she was arrested following her car crash

Worried: It came following reports that Michelle ‘begged’ Katie to seek help for her demons after she was arrested following her car crash

The insider told how Michelle has been in contact with Katie’s mother Amy, who agrees that her daughter needs help. 

They went on: ‘Michelle has known Katie a long time and has begged her to go back to rehab to kick her demons for good. She’s been on the phone to Katie to send her love and try and talk sense into her.’

‘Katie’s mum agrees with Michelle – they all just want Katie to get healthy again.’

Friend in need: The singer, who herself faced her own drink and drug battle earlier this year, is reportedly 'desperately worried' for the former glamour model

Friend in need: The singer, who herself faced her own drink and drug battle earlier this year, is reportedly ‘desperately worried’ for the former glamour model

A representative for Michelle declined to comment when she was contacted by MailOnline at the time. 

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Katie crashed her BMW while double the drink-drive limit after leaving her home to allegedly hunt for drugs during an all-night alcohol and cocaine bender which came after she rowed with fiancé Carl Woods.  

Katie admitted to charges of drink-driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday afternoon.  

Troubled: Katie admitted to charges of drink-driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance at Crawley Magistrates' Court on Wednesday afternoon. Pictured on Monday

Troubled: Katie admitted to charges of drink-driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday afternoon. Pictured on Monday

She could face prison after being charged with driving while unfit to drive through drink, using a motor vehicle on a public place without third-party insurance and driving while disqualified.

Katie was told that her sentencing had been deferred for 11 weeks until December 15 to allow her to have treatment at The Priory and speak to the probation service.  

Chair of the bench Julie Hutton told her she could leave but warned her against driving in the interim, saying: ‘You are free to go and good luck at the Priory.’ 

Concerned: The star's family released a statement saying they are 'concerned for her wellbeing'

Concerned: The star’s family released a statement saying they are ‘concerned for her wellbeing’

It was claimed that Katie had been up all night partying before the crash. She was taken to hospital but is not thought to have been badly injured.

Katie’s family have also expressed their fears for her mental health.

They said in a statement: ‘We have for some time been concerned about Kate’s wellbeing and overall mental health. Today our worst fears nearly came true.

‘As a family we have been and will continue to help Kate get the help she needs. We hope that she will realise that she cannot battle her issues alone.’ 

It is not clear who put out the statement, with the post signed off by ‘the Price family’. 

Message: Katie's fiancé Carl Woods also posted a statement on his Instagram saying the reality star is 'perfect' to him

Message: Katie’s fiancé Carl Woods also posted a statement on his Instagram saying the reality star is ‘perfect’ to him

Meanwhile, Katie’s fiancé Carl also posted a statement on his Instagram, saying: ‘Relationships are tested. People test each other – but when you love someone like I love Katie, you enjoy the highs and good times together.

‘And that bond is tested during the low and difficult times together. 

‘Katie is a rough diamond. She has her imperfections. However, they make her perfect to me.

‘She just needs that extra help to be polished. The sunlight will shine through  her once again and the sparkles that she brings to everyone will return. I love you Katie 100 per cent. My dolly. Always here. Always will be.’ 

Trouble: Katie could face jail time following her accident if found guilty, because she is still serving a six-month driving ban after refusing to tell police who was driving her pink Range Rover following a crash in Bexley, south east London in November 2018. Pictured with Carl

Trouble: Katie could face jail time following her accident if found guilty, because she is still serving a six-month driving ban after refusing to tell police who was driving her pink Range Rover following a crash in Bexley, south east London in November 2018. Pictured with Carl

Katie could face jail time following her accident if found guilty, because she is still serving a six-month driving ban driving after refusing to tell police who was driving her pink Range Rover following a crash in Bexley, south east London in November 2018. 

She was disqualified in October 2019 for 18 months and was due to return to the wheel in April this year, but an administrative error resulted in the ban being extended for a further six months, it was reported. 

The troubled star is mum to Junior, 16, and Princess, 14, who she shares with Peter Andre, as well as Jett, 8, and Bunny, 7, with ex-husband Kieran Hayler and Harvey, 18, with Dwight Yorke. 

For confidential help and support call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org. 

Family: The troubled star is mum to Junior, 16, and Princess, 14, who she shares with Peter Andre, as well as Jett, 8, and Bunny, 7, with ex-husband Kieran Hayler and Harvey, 18, with Dwight Yorke

Family: The troubled star is mum to Junior, 16, and Princess, 14, who she shares with Peter Andre, as well as Jett, 8, and Bunny, 7, with ex-husband Kieran Hayler and Harvey, 18, with Dwight Yorke

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk