Associate Editor Tom Bryant, who has covered warring couple Peter Andre and Katie Price for the last 20 years, reveals the real reason why they have put an end to hostilities after all this time
After 16 years of mudslinging and animosity, peace has finally broken out between Katie Price and Peter Andre. It’s a turn of events that no-one saw coming…not least me. The pair’s joint statement yesterday vowed to “close the door on the past and move forward into a new chapter with positivity and respect.”
From now on the pair have pledged to not “speak negatively” about the other, as well as having a “shared commitment to our family and stability.” It added: “We want to stand united for our children.”
Having covered the ups and downs of this couple for 20 years, my first instinct was of deep scepticism. While I have no doubt that Peter craves peace and quiet, Katie is a showbiz bruiser not afraid of speaking her mind. But having spoken to friends of the former married couple today, there really is a sense of confidence that peace can – and will – endure.
Not least as the real architects of the decision to lay down arms are not the former couple…but their two children Junior, 19, and Princess, 17. A friend tells me: “They were both left so upset by their parents fighting and were desperate for things to get resolved, and so pushed and pushed and pushed for a result. Everytime they did any press for their various endeavours, they were asked about their parents and the latest drama….and it was getting too much.
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“The pair lobbied so hard for peace, and Peter and Katie could see how much it was hurting then, and thought: ‘enough is enough.’” They are over the moon that their parents have come together to try and come up with a solution.”
I’m told that today’s statement has involved SIX MONTHS of delicate negotiations between the pair, and lawyers were involved. One friend said: “It’s amazing that we have got to this point given how bad relations were last summer. It’s been slow-going, but it’s a credit to them both that they could move on and negotiate a solution.”
To be able to do so after the events of last August is quite the achievement. Then Peter took the unprecedented decision of going public about the “repeated lies” hurled at him by his ex-wife, claiming how Junior and Princess lived with him for “their safety.” Katie – who had claimed Princess lived with her – in return accused him of bullying and gaslighting her.
A friend said: “Peter was broken last summer and everyone was so incredibly worried about him. It was one thing after the other with Kate, and things just got on top.” He managed to turn the corner “around Christmas “ and is now in a “really, really great place.”
Work is booming too with a nearly sold-out tour, and his new single being added to the playlist on BBC Radio 2 for the first time in 20 years. There are hopes, too, that the new statement will provide some “stability” for Katie whose life appears to lurch from one drama to the next. Just last week she married business man Lee Andrews leaving her friends and family perplexed, and more than a little worried.
Says a source: “Katie is used to fighting fires – and usually ones that she has started – but it’s hoped that her relationship with Peter will now be a place of calm. Hopefully that sense of stability will be able to permeate into the rest of her life which is all over the place.”
But it’s their children that they are most determined to be able to provide a calm environment for. At times it feels like every major event in their lives has been overshadowed to some degree by their parents’ feud. What should have been an exciting start to Princess’ reality TV show career last summer descended into open warfare after Katie alleged she was “banned” from starring in it.
I remember the sense of fury at the time by her inexplicably trying to overshadow her daughter’s fledgling project. Some even suggested she was jealous of her daughter. It’s why I’m still a little nervous as to how long this peace deal will last.
Maybe Katie has turned a corner, and this signals a new start for everyone. But when it comes to the Pricey, nothing is straightforward…
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
