Tony Cowell
Peter Andre says Christmas without his brother will always be difficult, but the kids help him through the tough times
Singer and TV star Peter Andre talks about fame and why Christmas will always be tough without his brother, Andrew, who died of cancer six years ago
Congrats on 25 years in showbiz. Did you ever imagine your career lasting so long?
No I didn’t. I actually started entering talent competitions when I was a 13-year-old and when I was 16, I won a talent show called New Faces in Australia, and that started it all for me.
How important were your parents back then? Did they encourage your career?
No, they were totally against it! Mum and Dad were very strict Jehovah’s Witnesses – and they also kept very strict Greek traditions too. They wanted me to stay at school and study to be an architect. But in the end Dad said to me, if you can get a recording deal before you leave school, then you can pursue your dream. Lucky for me, I won a recording deal [on New Faces] six weeks before I finished.
Did your parent’s faith influence you at all?
Yes, because when I look back it taught me a lot of good, sound rules for life. I admit I have made mistakes in my life, but I like to think their faith helped to make me a good and honest person. It’s why I try to instil a lot of those good things in my kids – which is not always easy.
What happened next in your career?
Believe it or not, the first show or tour I ever did was to open for Madonna when she toured Australia. I just couldn’t believe it. One minute I was at school – the next, I’m on stage with one of the world’s biggest pop stars. It was a crazy time, but I will never forget it.
Mysterious Girl was the song that launched your UK career. Do you still love performing that song?
Of course I do – but here’s something you don’t know. Originally that song was called Mystery Man. I desperately wanted to do a song that had a reggae feel, and someone played me this song but there was no way I was going to sing a song called Mystery Man – so I sat at the piano and re-wrote it as Mysterious Girl. I knew immediately it could be a big hit and it was the song that first brought me to the UK.
How do you look back on 1996 when your album Natural was UK No 1?
It was a huge thing, but at the time, when you have that kind of success, you never think it may end one day. So when it did end, it humbles you and you have to accept it. But when Mysterious Girl went to No 1 again in 2004, I couldn’t believe it. You just never know how and when your career will end. I have been very lucky, which is why I’m going out on tour next year to celebrate 25 years in music.
How do you cope with fame – you’re still mobbed by fans wherever you go?!
I finally think I know how to deal with it, because I am a people person. I don’t like celebrities who moan about fans always pestering them and wanting photos. So for me, I know it’s just part of my job and I actually enjoy having a chat with my fans.
You are very much the family man – has your wife, Emily [they married in July 2015 and have two children together], changed your life?
In so many ways. She is a very calm person – and when you are around calm people, you realise that you stress over things you don’t need to stress over. So she has taught me that I don’t need to be like that any more.
How are Junior and Princess (his children with ex Katie Price) doing at the moment?
Things are better, but there are a lot of things I don’t talk about at the moment because I don’t feel it is the right thing to do. But the kids are doing great.
How will you spend Christmas this year?
I’m not sure yet because it all depends on Emily’s work. We may go to her parents in Somerset or spend it with the kids at home. Whatever we do, I love Christmas and always look forward to it.
Is December a difficult month, remembering the loss of your brother, Andrew [he died of cancer in December 2012]?
Yes, it’s the worst pain ever – and it never goes away. It took me three years after he died before I could even talk about him. I never even had a picture of him in the house – then suddenly I was OK. I think I grieved for such a long time, but I’m coming out of that now. Christmas will always be a difficult time – but having kids has helped me through it. For tickets and more details of Peter Andre’s Celebrating 25 Years Tour see ticketmaster.co.uk.