Peter Andre says he was treated like royalty in Malta on his recent visit, when he was controversially named Valletta’s Cultural Ambassador.

“[My girlfriend] Emily and I had an amazing time in Malta... and were treated like a king and queen,” he wrote in his Planet Pete column for celebrity gossip magazine Now!

On being named the capital’s Cultural Ambassador by the Valletta council, the pop-singer-turned-reality-TV-star wrote: “I was so chuffed about that!”

He was on the island to perform at the Malta Music Awards on February 3 “and as a surprise they gave me the Cultural Ambassador award for my charity work, in addition to the Best International Artist award”.

Responding to widespread outrage and derision after news of the cultural award leaked out, Valletta mayor Aleixei Dingli said Mr Andre was given the title because he was fond of Valletta and would promote the city abroad.

Dr Dingli claimed the decision had the unanimous backing of the council. This was disputed by deputy mayor Ray Azzopardi, who said the matter was ever discussed.

Nearly 1,800 people have since signed a petition against naming the British-Australian star as Cultural Ambassador of the 16th century capital.

British newspapers The Sun and the Daily Mail reported on the controversy last week.

Mr Andre shot to fame with 1995 hit Mysterious Girl. He became a favourite with UK tabloids when he married former glamour model Jordan after they met filming a reality TV contest in the jungle. They have since divorced.

Apart from his Now! column, Mr Andre has not spoken publically about receiving the Cultural Ambassador honour, although he did tweet a link to a Malta Today article on the controversy last week.