Peter Andre has revealed that when it comes to Christmas planning, he’s a little bit last minute.
‘I’m a typical guy,’ the singer told MailOnline. ‘I think, ‘yeah, yeah I’ll be fine’ but then the day before I’ll be like, ‘oh my gosh I have seriously, seriously got to get my act together’.
Peter and Tesco Mobile want you to nominate that special person who deserves an extra smile or two this Christmas.
It would be easy to assume that Peter has a whole group of assistants to whom he can hand over the Christmas to-do list, but like the rest of us, he loves to get involved in every aspect and it’s not just the presents under the tree that make him happy.
With four children, Junior and Princess from Andre’s first marriage, and Amelia and Theodore from his marriage to Emily MacDonagh, it really is all about family time for the 44-year-old. From eating all the mince pies to missing his mum and dad, Peter lets us in on what Christmas is like in the Andre household.
How are your Christmas plans coming along?
Christmas is always great in our house. But I’m so last minute, I haven’t even started. To me, until December hits I don’t even know what I’m doing.
What do you love most about this time of year?
It’s a real joyous time. It’s family time isn’t it. Work has wound down and you’re just looking forward to the next phase. Leading up to Christmas is fun and then it’s January and February that are the depressing months. You’ve eaten like a king for the whole month of December and then you eat all the leftovers in January and feel sorry for yourself.
Peter spends Christmas at his in-laws in the countryside. ‘It’s like a scene out of Home Alone,’ he says. ‘It’s proper Christmas. Everything you can think of traditionally, it happens.’
What is guaranteed to make you smile during the festive season?
It’s just the fact that everyone’s together. The vibe everyone gets in for Christmas.
What role does food play for you at Christmas?
I come from a big eating background. If you’ve ever seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding you’ll know that every time someone comes to your house there’s so much food. I’ve already bought mince pies. I did walk past a mince pie counter and I was like ‘ah right, I’m taking them’ and then on the way home I tried a few to make sure they were alright and that the kids would love them. And then when I got home I didn’t have any to give the kids. Shocking behaviour!
‘I’ve always said since I’ve had kids, I’ve really experienced Christmas properly, says Peter. ‘It’s quite amazing.’
Do you still believe in Father Christmas?
100 per cent. You get kids that say ‘Santa isn’t real’ and I say ‘oh really well then Santa ain’t going to bring you presents if you don’t think he’s real.’ Kids want to believe but they try and act cool like they don’t. But they do. I’m 44 and I still believe.
What’s Christmas like in the Andre household?
Everything’s changed since I had children. I now celebrate Christmas properly. When I was a kid we were brought up in Australia and Christmas in Australia is 35C. It’s a different vibe completely so having children and living in England changes it completely. It’s like chalk and cheese or ‘mulled wine and cheese’. I am getting in the Christmas spirit because I’m doing cracker jokes. Since I met Emily, because her family live out in the country in Somerset, it’s like a scene out of Home Alone. It really is. It’s proper Christmas. Everything you can think of traditionally, it happens. I’ve always said since I’ve had kids, I’ve really experienced Christmas properly. It’s quite amazing.
What’s the best surprise you’ve ever done for someone at Christmas?
I don’t want to sound big headed in any way but it’s always big surprises, because I’m always last minute. Whether it’s good or not I don’t know, but it’s always a surprise.
What one thing would make you smile this festive season?
I guess I wish I could have my parents here. They live in Australia, they’re too far away.
If Peter could wish for anything this Christmas it would be to have his parents, who live in Australia, with him for the festive season
Peter says he would nominate a lonely elderly person in Tesco Mobile’s #MakeSomeoneSmile campaign; ‘I want them to smile and honestly one day of making someone smile can go a long, long way.’
If you were to nominate someone in Tesco Mobile’s #MakeSomeoneSmile campaign, who would it be and why?
I know this is going to sound a bit corny but I’m going to give my nomination to an elderly person. It’s not necessarily anyone I know but, I’ll explain why. My mum and dad are in their 80s and I’m noticing there are certain things that are different now. They can’t do the things they used to do so I have a real soft spot for the elderly because of my mum and dad. And a lot of elderly people in the UK are lonely and I find that really sad. I would hate to think my mum and dad are lonely, it would break my heart. So I’m going to nominate one of those elderly people who are feeling really lonely this Christmas. I want them to smile and honestly one day of making someone smile can go a long, long way.
Peter says his wife Emily is the one person always guaranteed to make him smile. ‘I can count on Emily when the chips are down to really boost me up.’
Who is the one person in your life who is guaranteed to make you smile?
I’d say my wife because when you’re with somebody, and you spend enough time with them, they can become your best friend. They’re the one you confide in. You spend more time with them than anybody else and I can count on Emily when the chips are down to really boost me up.