UK NEWS

TV'S ANDRE IS FIGHTING MENINGITIS

Peter Andre and Jordan

Saturday April 28,2007

By John Chapman

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SINGER and I’m A Celebrity reality show star Peter Andre is suffering from suspected meningitis.

Model Katie Price – Jordan – is keeping a bedside vigil after her husband was admitted to hospital complaining of stomach pains and headaches.

He has undergone a barrage of tests. “Jordan is frantic with worry,” a friend of the couple said last night. “She adores him and this has devastated her. Peter is normally very fit and she can’t believe he’s gone down with this disease. He is as weak as a kitten.”

The Australian-born singer was rushed to hospital after his 28-year-old wife made a 999 call when he collapsed at home. His agent revealed he was probably suffering from meningitis, a potentially fatal brain illness.

There are two types – viral and bacterial. But it is not yet known which of these Andre, 34, may have. Viral meningitis is the most common but is usually not serious.

Bacterial meningitis is rarer but around one in 10 cases are fatal. A spokeswoman for the couple said: “Following recent tests at the East Surrey Hospital, it is believed that Peter is suffering from suspected meningitis.

“Peter was admitted last weekend, and at this time we do not have an expected date of discharge.”

Andre had not been able to eat meals since returning to the couple’s £2.5million home in Ockley, Surrey, a week earlier from an engagement in America, where it was thought he picked up the bug.

A friend said the couple had called in a doctor to examine Peter at least three times as he became progressively weaker but on Saturday morning his conditioned worsened.

“Katie was so worried about him she took the decision to dial 999 for an ambulance and get him taken to hospital,” the friend added.

“The paramedics turned up and said that Peter looked very frail. I suppose the fact he had not eaten for a week and had also been able to drink very little had taken a terrible toll on his body.”

He was taken to the hospital in Redhill where he was detained overnight and allowed home on Sunday. He was readmitted when he showed no signs of improvement.

A source said: “When he was admitted Peter was very, very dehydrated. He was put on a drip and given emergency treatment.”

The pair are stars of reality TV show Katie And Peter: The Next Chapter, and are expecting their second child. They wed after meeting on I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!