Peter Andre grants girl her wish

Peter Andre has granted a young leukaemia sufferer's wish by meeting her.

But Jessica Beresford, who suffers from life-threatening acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, got more than she ever hoped for when she subsequently found herself a co-star on his new reality TV show.

The five-year-old from Dudley in the West Midlands was whisked to the Radisson SAS Hotel in central London, before being taken in a stretched pink limousine to meet the pop star at the Crazy Bear Club in London's Covent Garden for filming.

Jessica, who loves watching Andre on TV, said she could not believe her wish had come true, adding: "I can't believe I just met Peter. Mummy - did that just happen?"

Her mother Debbie Hickman said the delighted little girl would never forget the meeting.

"This has been the best day ever for Jessica, she loves Peter and this day will stay with us forever," she added.

Jessica, who is said to become "very happy and calm" when she watches the star on television, was later treated to a meal at The Rainforest Cafe in Piccadilly Circus, along with her parents.

Peter praised the youngster's courage and added: "Jessica is a lovely little girl and she just has to keep smiling for her mum and dad. I am so pleased to have met her today, she is a very brave little girl."

CanTV, which produced Peter Andre: The Next Chapter, changed its production schedule and deadlines to enable Jessica to appear on the programme, to be aired on Thursday at 9pm on ITV2.

The day was organised by the Make-A-Wish Foundation UK, which grants wishes for children and young people with life-threatening illnesses.