In an exclusive and deeply personal interview, singer and actor Peter Andre has revealed the profound heartache he feels this festive season as he worries for his elderly mother's health.
A Bittersweet Celebration
While opening the doors to his family's Christmas celebrations with wife Emily, Andre confessed the season is tinged with sadness. His thoughts are constantly with his beloved mother, Thea, 89, who lives on Australia's Gold Coast with his father, Savvas, 92. Thea suffers from both Parkinson's disease and dementia, conditions that have progressed significantly.
"Of course I worry this could be Mum’s last Christmas," Andre admitted candidly. "She’s very delicate. Her Parkinson’s has progressed quite a bit. Her speech is almost gone. She’ll say a word or two. It’s heartbreaking, because she’s our world, our pillar of strength."
The 'Raw Pain' of Watching a Parent Fade
The father-of-five described the emotional toll of witnessing his mother's decline, labelling it a "raw pain". He explained that despite being a grown man, he struggles to accept what is happening to the people he loves most. His father's dedication is a source of both comfort and concern, as Savvas cares for Thea daily despite his own fading memory.
A rare moment of joy came in September 2025, when the couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, a milestone Peter had prayed for. They received a congratulatory letter from the King, a gesture that brought warmth despite Thea's limited ability to communicate.
Hope for the Future and a Return to Faith
When asked about his Christmas wish, Andre's thoughts turned to medical advancement. He expressed a desperate hope for a cure for the ailments of old age, or a way to slow ageing itself, acknowledging it might not come in time for his mother but praying it would for his children's generation.
The performer, raised as a Jehovah's Witness but not practising since 16, also revealed he has started praying again due to his parents' health struggles. He credited his wife, Emily, with being his "rock" throughout the past year's challenges.
Andre's pain was echoed last month when he related to actress Lesley Joseph's comments about a friend's dementia battle, stating it felt "very close to home". He emphasised the universal hurt of watching parents suffer, calling dementia a "really cruel battle," and expressed gratitude when public figures share their stories to support other families.
