Peter Andre broke down in tears over secret health battle he hid from family

Peter Andre, who shot to fame in the 90s, has opened up about a health battle he went through that he kept hidden from his family because it was a "taboo" subject at the time

Peter Andre has spoken out about a health struggle he kept hidden from his loved ones due to the stigma surrounding it at the time.

The 51-year-old singer shared his experience on the Exhibit A podcast with Abbey Clancy, revealing that he took a three-month break from his career around the age of 26 or 27 while touring, reports Gloucestershire Live.

Upon returning home, he experienced a distressing episode that left him "curling up in a corner" and still trying to understand what happened. Peter described feeling unwell, experiencing brain fog, and becoming overwhelmed with anxiety, which culminated in a breakdown.

He recalled: "Something wasn't right. My...I was getting this thing which I now know is brain fog, and I was freaking out, just feeling really tense and anxious, couldn't understand.

"And then one night, it just happened. I just, from nowhere, I just broke down into this, literally felt like...imagine a Lego block, the most complicated Lego block, just smashed all over the floor.

"I remember curling up in a corner. I was shaking; I was crying. I mean; this had never happened to me before. I didn't know what it was and I still, to this day...I'm still trying to figure out what it was."

He attributes the episode to a combination of past traumas, including childhood bullying and violent incidents in nightclubs, which he believes eventually took a toll on his mental health. Peter revealed that he had put on a "bravado" of being "cool", despite feeling otherwise inside.

He mentioned that it wasn't something you could openly discuss at the time, leading him to seek medical help. He chose to travel to the US, where he was less recognised, to consult a doctor in New York.

Peter didn't share his concerns with his parents due to their strict Jehovah's Witness beliefs and the topic being considered "taboo". He told them he was travelling overseas to record a new album, but upon arrival, he sought recommendations for a psychiatrist.

However, once he found a suitable professional, they were unable to assist him. Consequently, he admitted himself into a psychiatric ward for two weeks as he "didn't know what was wrong".

The experience was a "rude awakening" for the singer. He was informed that the ward wasn't the right place for him as he was undergoing a "breakdown" and needed a therapist.

After securing one, he began taking medication and gradually returned to his normal self. The 'Flava' singer attributes his recovery to his naturally "happy person" disposition and eventually regained his former self before he "started all this".