Peter Andre has revealed that he continues to straighten his naturally curly hair after being targeted by racist bullies as a child.

The 49-year-old, who is of Greek heritage, said that despite therapy he still sees 'what others called me' when he looks in the mirror. 

The mysterious Girl singer revealed that when his family moved from North London to Australia at the age of six, his English accent was another reason he found himself singled out. 

He told : 'I had an English accent, curly hair, a big nose - and we really stood out. I still straighten my hair because the curly hair reminds me of me being that little kid and those kids calling me what they did at school.'

He told the publication that his insecurities became even worse when he was a victim of an unprovoked knife attack in a nightclub. 

In his late teens, a gang pulled him into the bathroom and held a knife to his throat, and although he emerged, unharmed Peter revealed he was left with emotional scars.

Peter said he still doesn't like going to nightclubs now, saying: 'That's when I started to internalise the fear. I just bottled it up and thought, 'I'll be fine'. Because other people can't see it, they think you're fine, and you suffer in silence.'

Peter has previously spoken out about his desire to move back to Australia in a bid to be closer to his elderly parents.

His wife Emily, 32, told : 'It's a tough one. It's hard for him having his family there. At the same time we have kids who are at school here, my work is here, a lot of his work is here.'

She went on to say that while the couple have talked about the move, nothing has yet been 'planned'.

It comes after the star shared that he feared his daughter Princess was growing up too fast, admitting that: 'You don't want to let them go too much too quick.'

Chatting as he took to the red carpet during the Caudwell Children Butterfly Ball with his daughter, wife Emily and son Junior - Peter explained that he is starting to 'loosen the reigns' as she gets older.

His comments came just two days after Princess faced some social media backlash, as she posted a snap to Instagram with lashings of makeup on.

Talking to , Peter explained: 'It's hard because you're so strict as a parent, but as time goes on you start letting the reigns go a little bit. You don't want to let them go too much too quick.'

He also explained that the likelihood of the blonde teenager doing a reality show like Love Island was definitely off the cards, but he may not have as much say as time goes on.

'I don't even know the words Love Island. Those two words don't go together in my house,' he jested.

Going on to say: 'Listen I can say what I want now as she's only 15. When she gets to 18 I might not have a say.'

Peter's comments come after Princess took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a snap of herself before heading out to a wedding, sporting a glammed up look.