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Peter Andre opens up on having plastic surgery due to racist bullying

Peter Andre attends the Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards 2019 at Grosvenor House on July 05, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Peter Andre says he resorted to cosmetic surgery as the result of racist bullying. (PA)

Peter Andre has revealed he had cosmetic surgery on his nose after being the target of racist bullies as a child.

The Mysterious Girl singer is of Greek Cypriot heritage and said that while growing up in Australia he was bullied about his nose, which made him want to change his appearance.

Andre, 48, wrote in his column for New magazine: "As a kid in Australia, I was bullied about the bump on my nose. A lot of the racism targeted at me also involved my nose.

Read more: Peter Andre 'scarred' for life by racism he experienced as a child

"I was so self-conscious that when things started going well with my music, I'd ask that no pictures of me were taken side on.

Watch: Peter Andre wouldn't stop his children having plastic surgery

"I ended up getting surgery because it affected me so much. Looking back, I don't regret the op but I wish I'd spoken to someone about how I was feeling first."

And the reality TV star – who is father to Princess, 14, and Junior, 16, with ex-wife Katie Price, and Theo, four, and Amelia, seven, with wife Dr Emily MacDonagh – said he would not stop his children from seeking cosmetic surgery as long as they talked to him first.

He said: "When it comes to the kids, my advice would be that they talk to someone if there was a part of themselves they disliked.

"If they then still felt a certain way about it, and it was affecting their confidence, it could be a conversation."

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07:  (L-R) Junior Andre, Peter Andre, Princess Tiaamii Andre and Emily MacDonagh attend the premiere of Thomas and Friends, Big World! Big Adventures! at Vue West End on July 7, 2018 in London, England.  (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage )
Peter Andre – pictured with children Junior and Princess and wife Emily MacDonagh – said he would talk to his children if they wanted cosmetic surgery. (Getty Images)

Andre – who was born in London and moved to Australia aged nine – previously opened up about being the target of racist abuse on ITV's Lorraine last year, admitting that he still straightens his curly hair.

He said: “I had the dark hair, the big nose, the English accent and I stood out... Initially, it was racism, which is obviously a form of bullying... It wasn’t just calling names, we got beaten, we got beaten pretty bad.”

Read more: Katie Price shares unfiltered close-up of her face 'still healing' from surgery

He went on: “The problem is now when you are bullied at a young age, certain things scar you for life.

“It scarred me to the point that even now, my hair is naturally curly but I won’t have it curly, I straighten it.

“Every time I look in the mirror and my hair’s curly, I see what those guys used to call me."

Watch: Peter Andre has recorded new music since recovering from COVID-19