Peter Andre says his mother has lost the ability to speak amid Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s battle

Peter Andre has said his 89‑year‑old mother, Thea, has largely lost the ability to speak as she continues to live with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s.

In a column for New! magazine, the singer and television personality described the situation as “absolutely heartbreaking,” saying the decline was painful for both the person affected and those close to her. Andre, 52, said he recognised the “feelings of guilt and worry” that family members experience as his mother’s condition progresses.

Andre said his parents, who recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, had received a letter from the King. He wrote that although his mother’s speech is now “almost non‑existent,” the family hoped the recognition and the outpouring of support would bring her comfort.

The entertainer has previously shared moments from visits to Australia, where his parents live. In May he posted a video showing an emotional farewell with his mother in which she reached up to caress his face. He wrote alongside that post that he was not sure what she was saying but that “words are not always needed.”

Andre has been publicly open about his mother’s health struggles in recent years, describing the emotional toll on the family as her cognitive and motor functions have declined. He named his father, Savvas, in tributes marking the couple’s long marriage and celebrated their milestone alongside references to the support the family has received.

The update comes as Andre and his wife attended the 2025 WellChild Awards in London, an event that recognises seriously ill children and young people. Andre’s public profile has included both his work in entertainment and his willingness to speak about personal matters, including family health.

Medical experts say that Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease can co‑occur in older adults and can affect speech, movement and cognition. Speech deterioration may result from a combination of cognitive decline, motor symptoms that affect the muscles used in speaking, and reduced ability to find words. Care for people with these conditions typically focuses on symptom management, support for communication, and measures to preserve quality of life.

Andre has not outlined specific care arrangements publicly beyond noting his visits and emotional responses. He has previously described the importance of spending time with his mother and emphasised the value of family presence beyond verbal communication.

Family members and caregivers of people with dementia and Parkinson’s face complex emotional and practical challenges, including decisions about care settings, communication strategies, and end‑of‑life planning. Advocacy organisations recommend early involvement of multidisciplinary care teams, speech and language therapy where appropriate, and support for caregivers to manage the emotional impact.

Andre’s disclosures illuminate the private realities many families face when a relative develops progressive neurological disease, and they underline the range of supports that clinicians and community services encourage for patients and their loved ones.