In a deeply personal and emotional revelation, singer Peter Andre has opened up about his father's heartbreaking childhood experiences in Cyprus during a recent podcast appearance. The 52-year-old entertainer shared these painful family stories on the Nicky Byrne HQ podcast, providing listeners with a glimpse into the difficult circumstances that shaped his father's early life.
A Family History Marked by Struggle
Peter Andre, best known for his 1990s chart-topping hits like Mysterious Girl and Flava, discussed how his father Savvas Andrea faced unimaginable challenges growing up in Cyprus. Born in London to Greek Cypriot parents before moving to Australia's Gold Coast at age six, Peter explained that his father's childhood was defined by hardship and responsibility from a very young age.
The Eldest of Many Siblings
"My dad was one of 12, he was initially one of 18, crazy right?" Peter revealed during the podcast interview. As the eldest of this large family, Savvas felt compelled to leave Cyprus at just 13 years old to learn a trade and support his family financially in the UK. The family's living conditions were so cramped that they all had to sleep in a single room.
Peter shared one particularly harrowing story that continues to affect him deeply: "The boy, the 13th boy, and dad told me this story and it breaks my heart, it absolutely breaks my heart. Dad had to go around the villages to get milk because after the mother had had so many children, the milk had run dry so eventually there was none left."
A Tragic Loss
The singer continued with the painful memory: "My dad had to witness his brother dying in his arms. There were really horrific stories of what happened in those days and dad worked from 12, he was determined, like me, to just achieve." These experiences from his father's childhood have left a lasting emotional impact on Peter, who described them as "horrific" family moments.
Previous Revelations About Family History
This isn't the first time Peter has spoken about his father's difficult past. In a 2015 interview with the Radio Times, he disclosed even more shocking details about his father's childhood. "It's very interesting with my dad because at 11 years old in Cyprus, he was sold as a slave," Peter explained at the time.
He continued: "They had no food, no money. So some of the kids had to be sold to earn money for the family. And then Dad came back after years. I didn't know this until recently. And I said, 'Dad, are you serious?' And he said, 'Yeah, but son, that was our life'."
Building a New Life in the UK
Despite these traumatic beginnings, Savvas Andrea demonstrated remarkable resilience upon arriving in the United Kingdom. Peter explained that his father came to London without being able to speak a word of English but quickly learned the trade of barbering. "He became a barber - and he still owns a barber's shop in Paddington," Peter shared with pride.
Peter's Current Life and Career
Today, Peter Andre lives in Surrey with his wife Emily, who works as an NHS doctor. The couple share three children together, while Emily also serves as step-mother to Junior and Princess, Peter's children from his previous marriage to Katie Price.
Throughout his extensive career, Peter has appeared on numerous television programmes including Strictly Come Dancing, Footballers' Wives, and Lemon La Vida Loca. Fans can look forward to seeing him return to screens from 9.30am this morning (February 7) on James Martin's Saturday Morning on ITV One.
These recent revelations provide a deeper understanding of the family history that has shaped Peter Andre's perspective and values. The stories of his father's childhood struggles in Cyprus offer a poignant reminder of the resilience required to overcome difficult circumstances and build a successful life against all odds.
