Alex Reid: 'Junior called me dad'

Katie Price's new boyfriend Alex Reid has admitted that the star's son Junior once called him "dad".

The cage fighter made his confession as he spoke about the strong connection he has built up with the 4-year-old, whose real father is Peter Andre.

Reid told OK magazine: "Junior did actually once call me 'dad'. Of course, I corrected him immediately. I said, 'No I'm not daddy, I'm Alex'. As much as I'd love to be his father, he has a dad.

"I've bonded with Junior like you would not believe. He wants me to put him to bed, rather than Kate."

The former Hollyoaks actor also discussed the dispute that allegedly occurred when he tried to speak to Junior by telephone while the child was staying at Andre's house in August.

He explained: "[Katie] shouted through, '[Junior] wants to speak to you!' And I said, 'Are you sure?' because I thought, I don't want to be disrespectful to Pete's position at all.

"But Junior was asking and asking. So I picked up the phone and said, 'Hello Junior!' and there was Pete's voice on the other end, 'Nah it's not happening, mate'.

"I told him I was totally cool with that and let him have a go at me a bit. He said, 'Stop playing happy family with my kids. You're probably an alright guy, but I don't want it'."

Andre recently warned Reid not to cross-dress in front of his children.