‘The 90s was a golden era for pop’
‘I’m heading a 90s tour with bands like 5ive and B*witched – so we’re going to have some fun!’
Peter Andre, 45, recently made his movie debut, and now he is preparing to celebrate 25 years as a pop star. Here, the father-of-four talks about why he’s going back on the road with other 90s stars – and why he has finally said NO to having more children with his wife, 28-year-old Dr Emily MacDonagh. You’re headlining the Stepback! 90s concert tour this autumn. Is this your return to music? In a way, yes. This was such an easy tour to say yes to. The 90s was a golden era for pop music in many ways, and I’m honoured they asked me to headline this tour. We have bands like 5ive and B*witched performing, so we’re going to have some fun. For me, the 90s saw the start of my own music career, and Mysterious Girl was released over here in 1996. So, I feel like I’m celebrating 25 years of being in music.
You’ve come a long way since those early days. Do you feel lucky?
I’ve been incredibly lucky. Not many former pop stars have moved into TV and, more recently, feature films like I have. I love my music, of course I do, but to be able to do so many different things every day is a real blessing. I’m doing another feature film next year, and I’d love to do a TV period drama like Downton Abbey.
You have finished your first movie, The Inheritance, which was shot in Los Angeles. Will we get to see it here?
Yes, we are releasing it next month in America – so hopefully, after that, we can release it in the UK very soon. I’m so excited about it.
You’re doing more appearances on ITV’s Loose Women this year. Do you think you and your wife, Emily, will ever team up for your own TV show?
We’ve talked about this a lot. Doing something that involves the NHS, or a night in A&E, would appeal to Emily. She’s not that fussed about being on TV, but something health related like this could work. I watched her doing an interview on ITV’s Lorraine recently. Emily’s such a sweet, honest girl, and her warmth comes across really well on TV.
How is your youngest son, Theodore? At a year old, he must be at that fun age!
He really is. I recently bought him a bike where I put him on the back. He’s at that age where he’s very receptive to everything. Funnily enough, he can be more difficult than my other kids but, when he’s happy, he’s a joy to be with.
Will you finally get your way and have more
children with Emily?
You know what, I was the one who came out saying I wanted more – but now I’m the one who’s saying, ‘No chance!’ Having our first child [daughter Amelia, now four] with Emily was great, and I wanted more, and so we had Theodore. I think, if I’m honest, right now I have enough – but you can never rule out these things. I may have a change of heart!
Speaking of parenthood, you made an emotional statement on social media about the recent spate of knife and gun crime in the UK. What prompted that?
I woke up the morning after May bank holiday to see a devastated mother on TV, wiping up the blood of her son from the pavement. It absolutely broke my heart because, as a parent, it’s something that resonates immediately. I remember talking to your brother, Simon, about this after he had his son, Eric. The minute you have a child, it changes the way you look at things. So, I just felt I had to share what I thought about this poor mother. We need to do something to stop these terrible knife and acid attacks. London, in particular, needs to pull together.
You are touring this year with your one-man show, An Evening With Peter Andre…
The shows have been amazing so far. They’re all in very intimate, cosy theatres. I just talk, but the difference is that the audience can ask you anything they want. I like that, because people like to know about my beliefs – about what I’m trying to do with the Peter Andre Fund for Cancer Research. So, it’s a really mixed bag every night, with the odd song here and there. To be honest, I didn’t expect people to turn up just to see me talk, so I’m shocked when I see a full house most nights.
Can fans expect another album from you soon?
Yes, I’m hoping to release my 13th album next year, to celebrate my 25 years in music. I don’t just record an album in an attempt to get it to number one. I know that’s not going to happen – there are too many young artists breaking through. But I’m lucky enough to make an album that then allows me to tour with it, which is what’s planned for next year.