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PETER ANDRES DATED TANIA!!

May 25 2003

Big Bro exclusive: Pop hunk confesses

By Mike Hamilton

POP star Peter Andre last night revealed how he enjoyed a passionate affair with Big Brother beauty Tania Do-Nascimento - and was desperate to get her back.

The Aussie singer - whose hits included Mysterious Girl and No1 smash Flava - dated part-time model Tania, 23, for more than a year at the height of his pop career.

But the couple drifted apart after Peter quit music and returned to Australia to help his family run a luxury holiday resort off the Queensland coast.

The star last night spoke of his regret at dumping Tania when he went back to Oz.

He said: "I wish I had met her under different circumstances, when my lifestyle was less hectic.

"I regret the way it ended and the only reason it didn't last was because of distance.

"I could not devote myself to her properly because I was always rushing around and going on tour.

"And then I went back to Australia and we lost touch completely.

"But I never forgot her and have great memories."

Last night, the Sunday Mirror called Peter and told him his former flame - who is now engaged to West Ham reserve striker Youseff Sofiane, 18 - was starring in the hit show.

She referred to having a "fiance" during the opening hours of the show.

Andre, 30, speaking from Limassol, Cyprus, where he is on holiday, said: "Wow! Tell her I hope she wins and would love to see her when it's all over - whatever happens.

"I am single and we will have to see if she is single when she comes out of the house.

"Give her my love and tell her I hope to see her again."

Andre - famed for his six-pack stomach - shot to fame in 1995 after scoring a string of hits in his native Australia the previous year.

The singer lived in an apartment in Fulham, West London, for two years and used it as a base for his tours.

He met Tania - who is of Portuguese origin - in 1996 at trendy London nightclub China White.

Andre, who had three number one singles that year, said: "When I saw her for the first time, I was knocked out and thought she was beautiful.

"Tania was gorgeous - and when we started chatting she became even more gorgeous.

"She is a really lovely girl who makes you feel great about yourself when she talks to you, because she is a good listener. We really enjoyed each other's company and I used to see her all the time in London."

As well as clubs, London-born Andre wined and dined Tania at many expensive restaurants, including the Blue Elephant in Fulham.

Andre had an army of adoring female fans when he was at the height of his fame.

When the 5ft 9in hunk switched on Oxford Street's Christmas lights in 1997, central London ground to a halt as 6,000 screaming girl fans turned up.

But the singer, who had a two-year relationship with Home and Away actress Laura Vasquez before he met Tania, says he was always faithful.

He added: "When you are with a beautiful woman you do not need to look elsewhere do you? And that was how I felt when I was with Tania. I felt like a really lucky bloke.

"It was a very passionate and nice relationship. She used to stay at my place in Fulham a lot and we had a lot of fun."

"I won't go into detail, but all I can say is that she was very bubbly in more ways than one!

"She is beautiful and the sweetest girl and it was only because of work that it didn't happen between us.

"Tania came to a couple of shows but I still couldn't really see her as much as I would have liked.

"But now my life is much more laid-back and I have so much more time to do things and be with people.

"If I knew her now, things could be so different.

"Stepping back from the industry has been a humbling experience. I am a different guy now and don't take things too seriously."

When Andre left Britain, he went to help his parents, four brothers and sister, to run the Koolamara resort on Bribie Island.

He lost contact with Tania and the pair have not spoken since.

But the singer - who plans a comeback and has penned more than 80 singles - said he hoped to see his ex again and asked The Sunday Mirror to put them in touch.

He said: "Unfortunately, going back stuffed up my career and my love-life.

"I went back to help out for three months, and it turned into three years.

"But now maybe this is fate showing its hand, and Big Brother is my key to get back in touch with Tania. That would be great because she was lovely. "Give her the message that I was asking after her when she comes out, and feel free to give her my number. I would love to hear from her.

"I have watched the show in Australia and know it is massive in the UK. I reckon she'll do really well and could win it."

Tania has emerged as one of the front-runners to scoop the Ł70,000 BB jackpot. The pretty model did not receive a single nomination when the surprise eviction vote was sprung on the 12 housemates on Friday night.

Later, she admitted to breaking the diary room chair after drunkenly sneaking away from other housemates with Ray, Sissy and Anouska. Tania, who also works at a designer boutique in Knightsbridge, West London, was quoted by some bookies as 9-1 to win the show. Last night, a friend revealed Tania was desperate for fame and hope to be the next "It-Girl". She added: "Tania loves running shoulders with the rich and famous and is proud of going out with Peter Andre. I'm sure she met the footballer at one of the clubs she goes to."

Tania has appeared in a Robbie Williams video, is with London agency City Models and has auditioned for TV shows.

Last night, Tania's mother, Custodia said outside the family's Ł750,000 mock-Georgian semi-detached home in Willesden, London: "We have always watched Big Brother as a family.

"We are very close and I am sure that my daughter will do very well."

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