Peter Andre has revealed that visiting Africa in February changed his life because until that trip he had never witnessed death first hand in such terrible circumstances.

Speaking about his experiences in Zanzibar to The Sun newspaper, the father, singer and television personality explained that as a parent it was heart-wrenching to see babies lose their lives as he stood by unable to help:

"The first day I was there I saw three babies die in front of my eyes. It was the most heart-wrenching thing I’ve ever seen. There was a baby on oxygen and on a drip and the surgeons were fighting to save her but she passed away in front of me."

Andre revealed that after meeting Dr Ru MacDonagh, who has since operated on both him and his own father, he was inspired to try and give something back so decided to travel to Africa in support of the charity HIPZ — Health Improvement Project Zanzibar.

"Then, just as I was about to sit down in shock, I looked over and put my hand down and touched a baby that had been dead for an hour, lying there wrapped up in a blanket," he continued. “I have never seen anything like it in my life. As a parent, I was tortured and horrified — I can’t even explain it."

"The healthcare system is so bad, children are dying at an unbelievable rate and women are forced to give birth at home with no help.”

Andre added that his parental instincts kicked in and he left wanting to adopt some of the children: "The first thing you think of when you meet these amazing kids is, ‘Why can’t I take you home with me?'"

“And I would love to have a foster home full of kids. But I have to be realistic. There are people that can’t have children and desperately want to adopt, whereas I can have more children. And I’m going to have more children, definitely. Hopefully in wedlock."

Some of the footage from his visit will be shown on his show, 'Peter Andre: My Life', tonight (April 11) at 9pm BST on ITV2. Watch Andre's interview with Oxford University's Union below: