Peter Andre has just opened up about what he calls a “scary” new parenting milestone — one that left him sleepless and emotional, even as fans flooded his social media asking where his daughter Amelia had gone. The 52-year-old singer and television personality, known for his warm family posts and open reflections on fatherhood, recently shared a series of photos from a sunny family vacation in Cyprus. But sharp-eyed fans were quick to notice something missing — or rather, someone. Amelia, his 11-year-old daughter with wife Emily MacDonagh, was nowhere to be seen.

Rumors began to swirl online, with fans speculating about her absence. Some wondered if Amelia was unwell, others asked if she had stayed behind for school. But speaking candidly in an interview with The Mirror, Peter finally revealed the truth — and it turned out to be something both touching and profoundly personal. “Some people noticed that our daughter Amelia wasn’t there on this trip,” he said, “and that’s because she was doing something incredible. She was on a pilgrimage with Emily’s mum — her grandmother — and they did the Pyrenees. It was absolutely amazing. She walked about 80 kilometers in four days. She said it was the most incredible experience.”

His pride was obvious, but so was his vulnerability. For the first time, one of his children had traveled without him, and he admitted that it left him feeling uneasy. “It’s the first time she hasn’t come away with us,” he confessed. “She was with her grandma, which made us feel better because Emily’s mum is a doctor — a paediatrician, in fact — so we knew she was in good hands. But still, it’s scary. When it’s your first time letting your child go off without you, it hits differently. You’re proud, but you’re also terrified.”

He described the experience as both “wonderful” and “nerve-wracking,” a mix of pride and fear that every parent eventually faces. “It was really, really scary, but it was wonderful to know that she was achieving something so special. We’re very proud,” Peter said, smiling. “Go on, Mills — what a wonderful experience you’ve had.”

The moment represents a turning point for Peter, who has often spoken about the joys and challenges of being a father to five children. With his eldest son Junior now 20 and daughter Princess 18, both from his previous marriage to Katie Price, and his younger kids Amelia, Theo (8), and baby Arabella (1) with Emily, Peter has spent more than two decades navigating fatherhood under the public eye. “Being a dad of five is my biggest blessing,” he once said. “But it’s also my biggest learning curve. Every stage of their lives comes with new lessons.”

While Amelia was finding her own independence on the pilgrimage, Peter and the rest of the family — Emily, Theo, and Arabella — were soaking up the Mediterranean sun. But even while on holiday, Peter couldn’t help but check in on Amelia’s progress. “Every day we were like, ‘Where’s Mills now? How’s she doing?’” he recalled. “When we saw photos of her hiking through the Pyrenees with her grandma, it was just incredible. She looked so grown up.”

That growing up, he admitted, is what makes parenting both beautiful and frightening. “You always think of them as your little ones,” he said softly. “Then suddenly they’re strong enough to walk eighty kilometers through mountains without you. That’s when it really hits you — they’re becoming their own person.”

The confession comes just weeks after Peter made headlines for defending his older daughter, Princess, against accusations of being a “nepo baby.” The 18-year-old recently announced that her ITV reality series The Princess Diaries had been renewed for two more seasons. Responding to critics who claimed her success came from having famous parents, Peter wrote, “Even if someone has an opportunity offered to them, they still have to work hard and be talented to succeed long term.” His defense echoed the kind of parental pride and protection that clearly runs deep in his household.

Peter’s reflections on Amelia’s independence further show the softer, more personal side of a man who’s spent decades balancing fame and fatherhood. “Parenting doesn’t get easier,” he admitted. “You just get better at worrying.” But his voice lightened when he spoke of what Amelia gained from her trip — not just physical endurance but emotional growth. “She came back with stories about people she met, places she saw, things she learned. It wasn’t just a walk; it was a journey of the soul. And to see that in your child is amazing.”

For Peter, this “scary” milestone was more than just about letting go — it was about trust. Trusting his daughter to find her own path, trusting that she would return stronger, and trusting himself to step back when the time was right. “You raise them to be brave, kind, and capable,” he said. “Then one day, they show you they already are.”

As the family returned home from Cyprus, with Amelia joining them soon after her pilgrimage, Peter summed it up simply in a way only a proud father could: “She’s growing up. And as scary as that is, it’s also the most beautiful thing in the world.”