Pete Tong has opened up on how his family have ‘kept him grounded’ throughout his successful career.
The DJ and Radio 1 star, 64, has become one of the biggest names in dance music over the years, and jets across the world to perform for adoring fans.
And despite keeping his family life relatively private, Pete made rare comments about his kids in an exclusive interview with MailOnline this week.
Pete shares three children with his ex-wife Deborah. Their marriage broke down in 2003. Pete also has another child and two step-children with his second wife Carolina Acosta, who he married in 2006.
He explained how he tried to created a ‘more regular environment’ for his kids growing up, and admits they are the reason he still has a successful career.
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Pete Tong has opened up on how his family have ‘kept him grounded’ through out his successful career (pictured with daughter Becky in 2013)
The DJ and Radio 1 star, 64, has become one of the biggest names in dance music over the years, and jets across the world to perform for adoring fans
Speaking on how he juggles the fame with his family life, Pete shared: ‘It is definitely a challenge, and you learn a lot along the way. It also keeps you really grounded as well with that responsibility and that to go home to, and I would like to think that is a big reason why I’m still doing what I’m doing.
‘When I started DJing, I made a decision early on that I would only do the bits I really wanted to do and loved.
‘I didn’t want to be on radio seven days a week and I didn’t want to be gigging seven nights a week. I wanted to pick and choose.
‘So I kind of always had a day job when I first started, as DJing wasn’t seen to be the be all and end all and the money wasn’t the same from when I started to what it is now so that created a more regular environment around my kids.’
Speaking about his kids supporting him at sets, he explained: ‘When they were young they started coming to things like Café Mambo. And then when they were too young to legally go to clubs is when the demand was highest that they wanted to go.
‘When they first could go, they were around quite a bit. They’ve moved on and have their own lives now and are not necessarily interested in what I’m doing.
‘Now I’m like, “do you want to come?” They tend to show up for the orchestra, I don’t force them.’
Several of Pete’s kids have followed in his footsteps, including daughter Becky who is also a DJ.
Pete and his second wife Carolina Acosta, who he married in 2006, pictured
Pete and Jules are celebrating a decade of their Ibiza Classics with a string of shows at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall
Meanwhile, his oldest son Joe is a music producer, while his other son Matt also partly works in the music industry.
Pete is currently celebrating a decade of his and Jules Buckley’s Ibiza Classics with a string of shows at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall.
The pair first teamed up in 2015 to perform for BBC Proms, an annual summer series bringing daily classical music to the Royal Albert Hall, but have went on to tour Europe with the orchestra.
Each of the four shows will feature unique programming, including appearances from guest vocalists Becky Hill, Jacob Lusk (Gabriels), Jazzy, Clementine Douglas, and Barbara Tucker.
Guest DJs Seth Troxler, Damian Lazarus, David Morales, and Paul Oakenfold will also join the show.
Speaking about returning to the Royal Albert Hall after ten years, he said: ‘It is surreal and inspiring to come into such a historical place doing what we are doing.
‘But it isn’t a nightclub, so you treat it in a different way. We are all super excited to be back.’
Speaking about returning to the Royal Albert Hall after ten years, he said: ‘It is surreal and inspiring to come into such a historical place doing what we are doing’
Each of the four shows will feature unique programming, including appearances from guest vocalists Becky Hill (pictured), Jacob Lusk (Gabriels), Jazzy, Clementine Douglas, and Barbara Tucker
And fans will be thrilled to hear that Pete has no plans to stop after ten years: ‘There was a time five years ago when we said we would probably end it if we made it to ten, but now we never want to end it!’
Pete Tong Ibiza Classics is at the Royal Albert Hall, London, May 29-Jun 1.
The broadcaster is also due to bring his acclaimed show to six UK arenas in December 2025.
Kicking off in Glasgow on December 4, the upcoming run of shows also includes stop-offs in Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham.
The tour will conclude with two gigs at The O2 in London on December 12 and 13.
