Katie Price thought Peter Andre was joking when he asked for a divorce in May, a friend has claimed.

The former glamour model was all smiles yesterday as she played with her children and new boyfriend Alex Reid in a Brighton park.

But, according to the unnamed friend, Price's upbeat public appearances are merely masking the pain she still feels from her split with Andre.

“When Peter insisted that it really was over she thought he was playing a joke,” the friend told the Daily Mirror.

“She honestly thought he was just kidding. They’d always had a fiery relationship but they always kissed and made up.

“It wasn’t unusual for them to go without speaking for two days or more after a row. Katie just presumed it would blow over like it normally did.

The friend added: “Despite trying to tough it out in public and saying she’s moved on, underneath it she’s still in shock.

“She really loved Peter and wanted their marriage to be for keeps.”

As Entertainmentwise reported earlier, Price and Reid shared a kiss as they frolicked in the sunshine in Brighton yesterday.

Reid was also pictured playing with Andre's two children by Price.

Katie and Peter - The Relationship