Peter Andre has issued a lengthy statement and videos detailing his thoughts on the Rebekah Vardy "miniature chipolata" penis row. On Instagram today, the singer admitted he felt "vulnerable".
The Australian star said he had been “the butt of all jokes” for 15 years after the remarks, made in a 2004 interview. They have resurfaced in a high-profile libel trial between Ms Vardy and fellow footballer's wife Coleen Rooney.
Peter said on Twitter: "Here I was this morning sat in my robe feeling like I had to say something. Feel free to come to your own conclusion. Just a couple of things first. Sorry to Emily and the children that have had to see and hear some not very nice things."
Birmingham Live reports that he explained in a video: "Fifteen years this has been going on. I kept quiet. I didn't say anything. I let everybody have their laugh. She has now admitted in court she was made to do it by an ex, right?
"Imagine how it feels. Imagine if I had said this about her. A woman's anatomy. Said something like... whatever. Use your imagination. There would be outrage!"
"But I have been the butt of the joke, 15 years this has been going on. Because it has been said about me, I have taken it for 15 years. Some of you will say 'get over it'. It goes on and on, you've got to understand. It has been brought up in a High Court.
"And then it is brought up in court again - and the only one who sits there and takes hit after hit about it is me. I have been laughing about it for a while, but imagine if it was the other way around.
"It's not fair this can happen again and again and again. We talk about Be Kind, mental health, all that stuff - but nothing seems to change!"
On Instagram, he added: "To be fair the media are very kind to me in general. Thirdly, you all know I like to take the p**s out of myself but maybe I felt a bit vulnerable this morning."
Fans were quick to show their support for Peter after his comments. Cleo wrote: "Ah I really feel for you. You seem like an entirely decent bloke just trying to live his life, with such a sweet and loving family."
Debbydebs added: "Hey Pete I was always brought up by a saying 'don’t believe all you hear or read' and this I follow. You are a wonderful person."
