[Red Moon]

Katie Price and Peter Andre slammed as 'desperate phonies' as they pretend to cheat on each other in staged photoshoot

During their four-year relationship, Katie Price and Peter Andre have never been short of attention.

With their own TV show, weekly magazine deals and media-grabbing behaviour, the couple have honed and perfected the skill of getting noticed.

But now, it seems, the pair have resorted to their most desperate publicity stunt to date after taking part in a fake interview with OK magazine. In it, Katie falsely claims she caught Peter in bed with another woman.

In an apparently bizarre attempt to head-off rumours about their failing marriage, a heavily made-up Katie, with tears pouring down her face, is pictured on the magazine's front page, declaring: 'I found Pete in bed with another woman - she's so plastic.'

But inside the magazine it turns out that the 'plastic woman' referred to is nothing but a blow up doll - used as one of many props in the photoshoot.

And today media insiders slammed the interview as 'misleading', with one saying the couple's behaviour was 'desperate'.

In the gushing interview the couple talk about how they are still deeply in love - but then speculate about how they would react if one of them cheated.

30-year-old Katie is pictured in a range of provocative poses with male models dressed up as a milkman and a plumber, while Peter watches on pulling concerned, jealous facial expressions.

In another photo, the glamour model hovers over Peter with her fists held high as he cradles a plastic doll and another picture captures the couple in bed together surrounded by sex toys.

Asked how they would feel if they found each other cheating, Katie said: 'I wouldn't be with him anymore. There are no second chances with me.'

And Peter said: 'It would devastate me - it would tear my world apart,' before adding: 'For me it wouldn't be a conversation - I would just go nuts.

However, media insiders say the couple have made a big mistake taking part in the staged interview, which is likely to have gathered them a highly lucrative sum.

Publicist Max Clifford said: 'To my mind this interview is a cheap shot and I think it will do them more harm than good.

'It shows a desperation for attention and she's never needed that. I would find it very hard to justify this [interview] and there could be a backlash.

'If they wanted to tell the world they are happily married, then why couldn't they have played it straight? It would have been easy for them to do that and far more honest to their fans.

'If people were buying the magazine believing they were going to get a big exclusive about Peter cheating on Katie, only to find out it was a stunt, then they have a right to feel cheated. It's misleading.

'It's not as if they are short of publicity and I think this is a big mistake.'

Clifford added that he was surprised the couple would stoop so low.

He said: 'I do not understand it. Both Katie and Peter have thrived from publicity. They have had successful careers, particularly Katie, she's a good media manipulator.

'This is just desperate.'

Last night mother-of-three Katie was seen out again without her wedding ring at the launch of menswear store Blue Inc in London's Oxford Street.

At one point she lifted her hand to her face as she passed waiting photographers in a seemingly direct attempt to fuel further speculation about her marriage.

Recent reports have suggested the couple's relationship is on the rocks.

One source was quoted telling Star magazine that Katie left the house early one morning without telling Peter where she was heading and leaving him unable to contact her.

The magazine also claimed Katie and Peter were treating his working trip to Los Angeles as a trial separation, using the time to work out what they want from the future.

But during this week's OK interview, Katie played down the report, saying the episode referred to a time when she was getting up early to train for the Horse Of The Year Show.

She also dismissed she was at war with Peter's ex, former Spice Girl Mel B, saying she was good friends with her.

Katie and Peter got together in 2004 - in the full gaze of the public eye - after they both appeared on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

Source: Daily Mail