CityLife

The Andre effect

HAVE we met?" asks Peter Andre, in a silky, yet sleepy, Australian accent. "I'm sure I've seen you somewhere before."

I don't know if it's my fur coat that's making me hot, but I feel a blush spreading from top to toe.

He kisses me on both cheeks. I giggle, mumble something daft and toss my hair about like I did when I was 16, which was a very long time ago.

It's clear that I've been struck by an affliction known as insania, but I'm not the only person suffering from it - this condition, for hundreds of females have poured into the Trafford Centre to catch a glimpse of their pop idol.

Some have skived off work and school to be in pole position for the live set; many will have their photograph taken next to a pop hunk, whose career was given the kiss of life by I'm A Celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here.

A gaggle of girls aged between 16 and 18 years old are quick to tell me that they liked him first time round.

Nicola Foster, 17, from Baguley, Wythenshawe, said: "I like his songs and his body. I thought he was sweet on I'm A Celebrity, dead cute."

Her friends nod in agreement, although someone mutters that he came across as a show-off.

Pop idol

She and her friends proudly sport the neon pink wristbands that will secure a meeting with their pop idol. Not everyone is this lucky.

Sarah Ridley travelled from Sheffield to see her hero but can't meet him because she didn't get to the Trafford Centre on time.

The 15-year-old, who runs a Peter Andre website, is devastated.

"I'm a true fan from day one," she says.  laments. "I knew I wouldn't get a wristband, because they were only available in Manchester but I came anyway," she said.

"I can't meet him - it would've been a dream come true."

Peter was in Manchester to promote the re-release of his 1996 hit, Mysterious Girl.

He doesn't need to do any personal appearances - the record is a dead cert for the Number One spot this Sunday - but he is a true pro and knows that he has a lot to be thankful for. "How did this jungle bum get to be here today?" he asks me. He shakes his head, as if he can't believe his luck. "It's surreal.

"You just wonder how and where and when. But you accept it and you accept it with a smile, because this industry is crazy.

"What I like is that it was up to the British public to warm to me, and when I know that they did, warm to me, it was the best present I could ever have had.

"My manager said that there were two things about me. If you do this you'll be ok. One thing is you won't backstab other people.  

"I'm not into bitchiness. If you've got something to say to someone, then say it. The second thing is if you are yourself then people will see the qualities that they never had the chance to see before.

"I'd like to think I'm an honest person.

"I felt I had no choice but to be myself and, if that meant opening my heart, then so be it."

Whatever you think of his music or his musings, he comes across as charming and genuine.

"Overwhelment" is the word he uses to describe the emotions he's experienced since leaving the TV special's rainforest.

"I don't know if there is such a word," he says. "I've been surprised with the reaction, with the re-release of Mysterious Girl. What were the chances of that happening?"

He's amazed that people have come to see him and it could be his whirlwind schedule catching up with him or genuine shock, but he's lost for words.

Katie Price

With seconds to go before he meets his adoring public, I ask him about Katie Price, the model formerly known as Jordan. "We did our first interview together with OK magazine - we've said everything we need to say," he says coyly.

He's not giving anything away about his budding relationship with her, so I sprint downstairs to the Orient stage, where every conceivable square inch is filled with female flesh.

With hormone levels as high as they are, it's no surprise that the shrieks greeting his appearance raise the roof. Peter thanks the crowd, punches the air and blows kisses to everyone.

We sway to the sounds of Mysterious Girl, then there's a stampede to be first in line for autographs.

Two hours later, the queue for autographs has disappeared, but people linger outside the Trafford Centre because they know Peter will leave by the main entrance. When he does, is ushered into a shiny saloon, girls literally fall over themselves to get one last glimpse of the heartthrob before he disappears into the night.
 
They run towards the car park, but it's as fast as their heels will carry them. It's too late. Peter Andre has left the building, but not before putting a smile on hundreds of faces - and breaking a few hearts, too.

Mysterious Girl is out now on A&E Records.