Furore over Peter Andre's Cultural Ambassador role in Malta

The news that Peter Andre has been appointed Cultural Ambassador to Valletta in Malta has caused a furore with residents calling on the local council to strip him of the title.

Mr Andre, who last topped the UK charts in 1995 with his single Mysterious Girl, was declared Cultural Ambassador by the Valletta council while in Malta last week to take part in the Malta Music Awards. At the request of his promoters, Mr Andre met up with Valletta mayor Alexei Dingli at the President’s Palace.



The meeting lasted about half-an-hour, during which time the council bestowed the title. According to Dr Dingli, the Australian singer, who had never been to Malta before, is “very fond” of Valletta. “It can be given to someone of certain fame, be fond of Valletta and is willing to help in the promotion of our city abroad,” said Dr Dingli.

More than 1,600 residents have now signed an online petition calling for Mr Andre to be stripped of the title. Mr Andre is the second Cultural Ambassador for Valletta after Cliff Richard was appointed two years ago. When asked if Sir Cliff still lived up to this role, Dr Dingli said: “We don’t follow him personally, but only last week his fans assured us that there was the contact between us and him.”