Pete Wicks admits his management ‘forced’ him to sign up to Strictly Come Dancing

Pete Wicks admits his management 'forced' him to sign up to Strictly Come Dancing

As an ardent fan with a penchant for reality TV dramas, I must admit that this year’s Strictly Come Dancing season is shaping up to be nothing short of a gripping soap opera! The latest addition to the lineup, my dear friend Pete Wicks, has certainly stirred up quite a storm.


Pete Wicks confessed that it took a bit of convincing for him to join the latest installment of Strictly Come Dancing.

Originally not fond of it, the ex-TOWIE celebrity, aged 35, was persuaded by his manager and good friend Sam Thompson to join the BBC One program.

Last year, Sam’s partner, Zara McDermott, made an appearance on the BBC series. Later, news broke out about her allegedly being physically assaulted during rehearsals by the now-fired professional dancer, Graziano Di Prima.

Pete mentioned during their Staying Relevant podcast that he found it surprising when he was asked to participate in Strictly Come Dancing, as it was something he had never considered or watched before.

He continued: ‘You do like a taster day where I had to see how I got on for an hour with one of the pros. 

Pete Wicks admits his management 'forced' him to sign up to Strictly Come Dancing

“To be completely open with you, I attended the event not out of personal choice but due to pressure from my superiors and those who are particularly fond of Strictly Come Dancing.”

‘And I did the taster and I f****** loved it. I genuinely loved it.’

Currently, he’s loving his training sessions, but he admitted that he wishes he had more control over the costume department’s decisions.

“Pete clarified that you both share opinions with the costume team about what suits your style, what makes you feel comfortable, and how adventurous you want to be with your wardrobe choices,”

Before voicing my idea, I consulted with my superiors, and they responded with the phrase, “Once you’ve committed a little, you might as well commit fully.” Hearing this, the costume lady expressed excitement, saying, “We’re going to have a great time!” However, I immediately wished I hadn’t made that comment.

As I confidently stride onto the dance floor with millions of eyes upon me, I can’t help but feel a bit jittery about how I’ll be perceived. After all, it’s only natural to want approval and acceptance from others when stepping out of one’s comfort zone.

He concluded: ‘So many people are gonna watch, but they’re people who don’t know. They’re gonna f****** hate me.’

Zara McDermott has shared her thoughts on Pete’s fresh appearance prior to his launch on Strictly Come Dancing.

Pete Wicks admits his management 'forced' him to sign up to Strictly Come Dancing

Last year, the previous contestant from Love Island, who is currently 27 years old, featured on the BBC show. Later, news broke out stating that she had allegedly been physically assaulted, including being hit and kicked, during rehearsals by the now-terminated professional dancer, Graziano Di Prima.

A lively video was posted on the show’s official Instagram account featuring Pete, aged 36, who donned a deep-v floral jacket and shimmery pants.

15 days left until Pete takes the stage and turns up the heat on Strictly! Can’t wait to see him tango like never before!

In a relationship with Sam Thompson, Zara’s friend of Pete, remarked: “The sequins look great on you.”

Pete Wicks admits his management 'forced' him to sign up to Strictly Come Dancing
Pete Wicks admits his management 'forced' him to sign up to Strictly Come Dancing

Previously, following confirmation that Pete had joined the cast for the upcoming season of the show, Zara finally spoke out.

Some viewers might find it surprising, considering his close relationship with both Zara and her boyfriend Sam, that he had a negative past with Zara.

Instead of sharing the news to Instagram, the documentary maker expressed her happiness by voicing her support for Pete upon watching the documentary.

Re-posting the official announcement, Zara wrote: ‘I’ve never been so excited. Love you.’ 

In a comment, she added: ‘This makes me so happy. You’re going to have the best time. I am so proud of you. I cannot wait to see you in some sparkles and maybe even some hot pants.’

Sam also shared: ‘No words. So proud of you… the content we are going to make that you don’t even know about yet.’

In spite of their strong bond as friends, there have been surprising revelations that he has become part of the Strictly cast, which allegedly features Zara dancing despite a ‘fractured’ leg due to an accident during training and relying on painkillers to endure ten-hour practice sessions.

The latest revelation comes after professional dancer Graziano, 30, admitted to kicking Zara during their sessions, causing him to be sacked from the BBC series.

Pete Wicks admits his management 'forced' him to sign up to Strictly Come Dancing
Pete Wicks admits his management 'forced' him to sign up to Strictly Come Dancing

The allegations against him of abusive behavior are supported by videos, which Zara found extremely difficult to watch.

A source told TopMob: ‘Zara is so happy for Pete landing the Strictly gig.

‘Her experience on the show was so individual – she hopes no one will go through the same again.’

I firmly believe that Pete is poised for an exceptional experience and has the potential to leave a lasting impression on the judges. His relentless work ethic, coupled with his genuine nature, makes him a perfect fit for this environment, despite its intensity. Interestingly, he excels when faced with challenges and pressure, which bodes well for his success in this setting.

Zara prefers for her experiences not to influence her Strictly experience negatively, and she supports Pete wholeheartedly, even though the situation feels quite personal.

Last year, Pete attended the Strictly studio alongside Sam, both sporting stylish shirts adorned with Zara’s image as a sign of their backing.

They took photos with Zara and Graziano, who later returned to his hometown in Sicily after being dismissed from Strictly.

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2024-09-01 12:21

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