Peter Andre has voiced his understanding of the profound hurt experienced by the Beckham family amid their ongoing public rift, suggesting there is "so much going on behind closed doors" that remains unseen. The singer made these poignant remarks during a candid appearance on Thursday's edition of the ITV programme Lorraine, where he initially intended to promote his new album, Legacy.
A Conversation Shifting to Family Strife
The discussion with host Lorraine Kelly, 66, soon pivoted from music to more personal territory, touching upon Andre's vigorous campaign for legislation to prohibit children under the age of sixteen from accessing social media platforms. This advocacy naturally led the conversation towards the current, highly publicised turmoil within the Beckham household.
The Beckhams' Public Unravelling
The family discord escalated dramatically earlier this week when Brooklyn Beckham, the 25-year-old eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham, published a lengthy, six-page statement on Instagram. In it, he declared he has "no wishes to reconcile" with his parents and asserted he is "standing up for myself for the first time in my life." This declaration follows months of reported acrimony, with Brooklyn and his wife, actress Nicola Peltz, 31, notably absent from significant family milestones, including David Beckham's 50th birthday celebrations and his knighthong ceremony.
Reflecting on the situation, Andre expressed his sadness, stating, "And it's sad. And they are nice people. I have met them many times and they are really lovely people." He emphasised the complexity of family dynamics in the modern era, where private matters are increasingly thrust into the public domain. "It's a difficult thing, you know, we're living in times where everything is open for discussion, everything," he added.
The Perils of Public Scrutiny
Lorraine Kelly pointed out that Brooklyn's decision to air his grievances on social media exemplified the very issue Andre campaigns against. "In days gone by, that would have been happening within the family," she noted, highlighting how social media transforms private conflicts into public spectacles. Andre agreed, stressing his reluctance to pass judgement, "I would never, in something like that, I would never get involved. I know that there will be so much going on behind that you just don't know. There will be a lot of hurt within it all."
Andre's Personal Stance on Social Media and AI
The interview delved deeper into Andre's concerns regarding social media, particularly for young people. The father of five explained that while he initially shared images of his older children online, his perspective has shifted dramatically with the advent of advanced artificial intelligence.
"Please understand when we started social media we started it all together, we had no idea how dangerous this was," he said. "And now, with AI, it's AI that is really becoming the problem, combined with social media. They can take an image of your child and create all sorts of things."
A Divided Approach Within His Own Family
Andre's family life illustrates this evolving caution. His two eldest children, Junior, 20, and Princess, 18, from his previous marriage to Katie Price, have grown up in the public eye and maintain substantial social media followings. In contrast, his three youngest children with wife Emily MacDonagh—Amelia, 12, Theo, nine, and Arabella, one—are kept rigorously out of the spotlight, with their faces never shared online.
He credited his wife Emily for this protective stance, admitting he initially thought her reluctance was "a bit harsh." However, he now fully endorses it. "But then when I started seeing as time went on, and AI started to get introduced, I was like 'Thank God you have stopped them being on social media!'"
Navigating Fame and Family Privacy
Andre, who has faced his own share of public scrutiny and criticism, spoke about the delicate balance of guiding children through fame. "I don't always not deserve criticism, I deserve criticism like everybody else. I know my mistakes," he stated, adding that this self-awareness makes him hesitant to comment on other families' affairs.
The interview concluded with a reflection on the broader cultural moment, where family disputes, like that of the Beckhams, become fodder for global discussion. Andre's comments underscore a growing concern about the intersection of celebrity, social media, and personal privacy, advocating for greater protection for the young and a more measured public discourse around private pain.
