Peter Andre has opened up about the painful reality of watching his beloved mum, Thea, slowly fade away due to dementia and Parkinson’s disease. The 51-year-old singer, who lives in the UK with wife Emily and their children, revealed in his new! magazine column that he finds it “incredibly hard” being so far away from his parents in Australia.
Peter, best known for his 1996 hit Mysterious Girl, shared that his mum’s speech has now become “almost non-existent,” describing it as a “cruel battle” that breaks his heart daily. “No matter how old we are, we’re never too old not to hurt when our parents are going through something like this. It kills me for my mum every day when I think about her,” he confessed.
He added that reading about other families’ struggles with dementia, such as Lesley Joseph’s update on Pauline Quirke, “hits very close to home.” The pop star said he hopes that by sharing his story, he can bring comfort to others who are facing similar heartbreak.
Peter’s parents, Thea and Savvas, recently marked their remarkable 70th wedding anniversary — a milestone that brought tears of joy and sadness. They received a letter from King Charles III congratulating them on their long-lasting love. “Although Mum’s speech is almost gone, I know her heart is filled with warmth from all the love and support,” Peter said.
Earlier this year, Peter returned to Australia to spend precious time with his family. He shared touching photos of himself with his mum, writing: “Spending time with Mum is always the most important part of my trip. I’m not exactly sure what she’s saying here, but words aren’t always needed. I love her so much — I just hope she knows that.”
The star admitted that leaving Australia again was agonising, torn between caring for his parents and being present for his children in the UK. “It’s absolutely heartbreaking,” he said. “With Alzheimer’s, it’s painful not only for the person affected but for everyone who loves them.”
