Rumours Peter Andre is dead are false, say aides

Jordan pays a visit to her sick husband in hospital

A spokesperson for Peter Andre was forced to deny vicious internet rumours that the singer had died.

Aides made assurances that Andre is alive and continuing to recover from a dangerous brain bug in hospital, according to a report in The Sun.

However, he is barely conscious and struggling to recognise his wife Jordan.

Jordan told OK! magazine: "He doesn't even know I'm there."

The model, who is eight months pregnant with her third child, spoke for the first time since the former pop singer was diagnosed with viral meningitis.

Andre, 34, was rushed to East Surrey Hospital in Redhill with the condition last week.

The 28-year-old - real name Katie Price - told the magazine: "He's really poorly. I feel really bad because if I was in hospital I would want someone with me all the time, but I just physically can't do it because of the kids and work."

She adds: "He's usually sleeping - or drifting in and out. Yesterday I went in and he didn't even know I was there.

"I'm checking on him all day, calling the hospital and then every night I take him a towel in so he can smell home. I am so stressed."

The illness struck Andre while the couple were flying back to London after a promotional visit to the US.

Filming of the couple's ITV fly-on-the-wall reality show has been halted.

Andre's illness marks another blow for the family, which includes 22-month-old son Junior and four-year-old son, Harvey, whose biological father is footballer Dwight Yorke.

Harvey, who was born blind and suffers from other medical conditions, was taken to hospital after scalding himself in a bath at the couple's home on New Year's Eve.

The trial of the family's former nanny was also postponed yesterday after Jordan failed to show up to give evidence.

Jordan told court staff at Lewes Crown Court that she couldn't attend the hearing of 33-year-old Joanne Hillman - who is accused of fraudulently claiming £14,000 in benefits while working for the star - because of Andre's condition.

Jordan and Peter in happier times