Almost 12 years ago, the showbiz world was rocked by Katie Price and Peter Andre’s split.
The gorgeous glamour model and hunky Aussie singer met on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here in 2004 and went on to become one of Britain’s biggest power couples.
Peter moved in with Katie and her son Harvey and vowed to be the dad the disabled youngster didn’t have.
He gushed how Harvey, now 18, taught him to be a father.
The teen, who has a rare genetic condition called Prader-Willi syndrome, as well as autism, ADHD and blindness, does not see his biological dad and footballer turned pundit Dwight Yorke.
Loving Pete took Harvey under his wing and became ever the doting dad. There was even talk of him adopting him.
“I have been a real father of Harvey and he calls me Daddy,” he said at the time.
Peter Andre and Katie Price with son Harvey at the Disney Channel Kids Awards 2004 (Image: Getty Images)
But in 2009, after a marriage and two kids together – Junior and Princess – Katie and Peter called their relationship quits.
Despite the acronimous split, the Mysterious Girl singer was filled with nothing but love for Harvey and said: “He will always be special to me and I just want him to be happy. He’s a great kid!”
However the adoption plans were halted.
Peter revealed: “Unfortunately, I’m not allowed to adopt him and it’s not going to be an easy road. I love him.”
He added: “I know I am the father figure in his life and I hope I always will be.”
Pete, 47, went on to marry medical student Emily MacDonagh, 31, in 2015. They have two children together, Amelia and Theo.
And although he was not able to be in regular contact with Harvey, he said in 2018: “There’s always room for Harvey at our house.
“I always saw him as my own. There’s a special place in my heart for him – he’s very important to me and he’s always welcome. It’s just lovely to see him.”
For Harvey’s 18th birthday in May, Katie told OK! Magazine that Peter didn’t attend the party but “sent birthday wishes and bought Harvey a TV.”
Peter also made a heartwarming social media gesture to Harvey on his birthday.
Katie and Harvey pictured in 2003 watching dad Dwight Yorke play football for Blackburn Rovers (Image: Daily Mirror)
Pete and Katie’s son Junior shared a sweet post about his big brother and shared two snaps. Peter responded with love heart emojis in the comments section.
Katie also publicly praised Pete for his support when in July, Harvey was rushed to hospital struggling to breathe.
Pete said he was praying for Harvey while mum-of-five Katie revealed their plans to visit him together in hospital.
She said: “Over the years we’ve had our ups and downs, but Pete has been really supportive about it.
“He’s asked to go to the hospital. He can’t do it without me, so he’ll come and visit Harvey with me. How’s that for an amazing improvement?
“Regardless of our ups and downs, the fact that he’s stepped it up – I see his feelings as being really genuine.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
