How Pete Wicks overcame a troubled childhood to impress Strictly fans with his moves – after saving his mum’s life when he was just 12 and battling anger issues following his parents’ divorce

As I delve deeper into Pete’s poignant narrative, I find myself profoundly moved by his resilience and the complex tapestry of emotions he has navigated throughout his life. The bond between him and his grandmother Doreen, who served as his pillar of strength, is heartwarmingly evident.

Ever since making his first appearance on the dance floor last month, Strictly Come Dancing’s Pete Wicks has won over a fresh wave of admirers with his unanticipated dance steps.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I must say, my transformation on BBC’s latest series has left many surprised. Initially known as a reality TV star from The Only Way Is Essex, viewers are now finding themselves warming up to me more than they ever anticipated. It’s been an enlightening journey for all!

Prior to achieving fame about a decade back, Pete had faced various challenges in his childhood. For instance, he experienced estrangement from his father following the divorce of his parents, and this was accompanied by anger issues that developed as a result.

In his latest autobiography, Pete additionally recounted the time when he was twelve and prevented his mother from taking her own life during a difficult period with her mental health.

Apart from that, he pondered over the special relationship he shared with his grandmother, who sadly departed in 2022. In the forthcoming weeks, he intends to honor her memory through a captivating dance performance on Strictly.

Alongside the skilled dancer Jowita Przystal, Pete has managed to charm audiences within only three weeks of the new season, and although he claims to have limited dancing background, the judges have already commended him for his impressive advancement.

This coming weekend, he’ll return to the dance floor, performing a Quickstep to The Jam’s famous song “A Town Called Malice”. His captivating George of the Jungle-themed Samba from last week left spectators exhilarated.

TopMob examines the journey Pete took, transforming from his childhood hardships to a beloved figure on Strictly Come Dancing.

Estranged from his dad

Pete mentioned that up until his 11th birthday, his childhood was generally joyful. He spent those years in Essex, living with his mother, father, sister, and a particularly close relative, his grandmother Doreen.

However, things changed when his parents divorced, and his relationship with his father broke down.

Initially, they’d bump into each other occasionally, but later, he felt their encounters were forced and uncomfortable.

In his book Never Enough: My Words Unedited, Pete recounts that although his bond with his father momentarily improved during a diving trip, their connection deteriorated once he moved to the Middle East.

Reflecting on it now, I can’t fault him for leaving. It appears he endured much harder times than he showed, due to everything that transpired. At the moment, though, I simply felt that evidently, I wasn’t enough for him to wish to remain with me.

In a conversation with Jamie Laing for his Private Parts podcast recently, Pete expressed: “I have no connection with him and we don’t communicate at all.

My father isn’t a terrible individual, he’s actually a decent person. However, we don’t share a bond and that’s just how things are. There’s no relationship there and that’s simply the way it is. Unfortunately, I have little control over the situation.

‘It hasn’t stopped me from wanting to be around people who do bring something to your life.’

In an episode of Celebs Go Dating, he discussed his relationship with his father, expressing: ‘His departure left a lasting impact on me. My mother wasn’t in good shape for quite some time afterward. Due to my concern for her well-being, I didn’t have the opportunity to fully deal with my own feelings.’

In response to being queried about its effect on him, he stated: “It shaped me into who I am today and played a role in defining my character, which I appreciate. However, I don’t hold him responsible. A significant portion of it could likely be attributed to my own shortcomings as well.

Anger issues 

Over the past few weeks, Pete has revealed that after his parents’ separation, he held back his feelings for a long time, which eventually led to explosive displays of anger.

He mentioned that he often tries to provoke others and instigate conflicts, going as far as to antagonize people. During a rugby game, his aggressive behavior led to a confrontation with another player, which earned him the label of being ‘brutish’ from one parent.

In his autobiography, he described the moment at a relative’s funeral as when he came to understand that his actions weren’t beneficial for his well-being.

He stated that he found himself confronting a relative whom he didn’t have a good relationship with. Furthermore, he mentioned that it was the first time his grandmother had witnessed him acting in such a way, and unfortunately, she couldn’t intervene.

It deeply troubled her, for I could sense her genuine concern for my wellbeing. At that moment, it struck me: “Oh dear, this situation is not as acceptable as it should be.

In more recent times, Pete has revealed that his anger has significantly diminished or subsided. He attributes this change primarily to maturing and gaining a deeper self-understanding.

Saving his Mum’s life

Pete shared the dramatic instance when, at age 12, he rescued his mother Tracy from a suicide attempt by finding her in the kitchen.

Pete shared that his mother, who he considers as strong as any hero, was the one he was speaking of. He found Tracy in the kitchen, seated at the table and appearing injured, with a knife clutched in her hand.

Pete remembered feeling frightened, so he quickly phoned his grandmother Doreen for assistance and also dialed 999 (emergency services).

While waiting for the ambulance, the celebrity worked to slow down the bleeding and keep his mother alive, all while falling back on a survival instinct he referred to as: ‘I simply switched to crisis response mode.’

He wrote: ‘I saw her sitting at the table, which had been covered in blood. I saw the blood dripping first. She was holding a knife in her other hand.

Straight away, I dashed towards her to snatch the knife from her grip. Earlier, she appeared as if controlled by some force – it felt like my mother had vanished, and another person or entity had taken control of her body instead.

However, upon approaching her, it seemed as if she had just awakened. Her gaze met mine, brimming with tears. Over and over again, she apologized, saying, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.

In a state of panic, I reassured her that it was alright while I struggled to figure out my next move. I quickly phoned Nan. My words were scarcely audible as I attempted to explain what had transpired. Essentially, all I managed to say was, “Mum… knife… blood.

In June 2022, Pete’s grandmother (his nan) passed away. While this was happening, she instructed him to disconnect the call and dial for an ambulance instead. As detailed in the book, he followed her instructions promptly by calling the ambulance. Subsequently, he focused on caring for his mother, who at that point had fallen onto the floor and was severely bleeding.

In that critical situation, I swiftly picked up some towels to attempt to stem the blood flow. The wine, unfortunately, was discarded down the drain. That instant, I can hardly express my feelings as they seemed to be a raw shock. Instead of weeping, I found myself slipping into crisis management mode.

Pete penned his latest work with the aim of eliminating the stigma surrounding open conversations about mental health. He shares his experiences, detailing how the events following his traumatic experience significantly impacted his life.

He shared that he grew extremely guardian-like towards Tracy, the woman who singlehandedly raised him, following her separation from Pete’s father when Pete was just 11 years old.

He wrote: ‘I didn’t say it, but I believed it was my fault. I had been with Mum before it happened. I had agreed to go upstairs. I had stayed upstairs even though I could hear her wailing. If it was anyone’s fault, it was mine.

Reflecting on those times now, I realize how immense my burden might have seemed at that point. After all, I was just a kid, needing guidance and care.

Instead, I found myself caring for my parent while battling feelings of fear, panic, loneliness, and self-reproach that were slowly surfacing within me.

Luckily, Tracy had a swift recuperation, and she expressed regret to her son, labeling it an “instant of recklessness” that wouldn’t occur again in the future.

Close bond with his Nan 

In the year 2022, Pete experienced profound sorrow following the passing of his cherished grandmother Doreen, whom he affectionately regarded as his “dearest friend.

He often referred to her as his “greatest source of strength” throughout his challenging adolescence, and even got a permanent tribute tattooed in her memory.

In his memoir, Pete recounted that he was visiting friends in London when his mother called, urging him to rush to the hospital immediately.

My mother and I sat with her on either side, each of us grasping one of her hands. The final words she spoke to me seem as fresh in my mind today as they did yesterday: “You are my other half.

Pete mentioned earlier this year that he is fortunate to have a solid group of empowering women nearby, offering him emotional support as he navigates his feelings.

He said on Lorraine last month: ‘She was amazing Doreen, just an angel on earth. She had a major impact on my life and loosing her is the toughest thing I’ve ever been through.

She wasn’t just a grandmother; she was my dearest friend. It’s difficult to comprehend one’s own emotions sometimes, and for me, that situation elicited frustration because I struggled to grasp the feelings it stirred within me.

‘I surround myself with a very good circle of strong women, it’s really important.

‘Women are so much more important at understanding and getting through difficult situations.

The lads head to the local tavern where their conversation might go something like this: “Hey, you good? What’s up?” That simple exchange can mean so much, as it’s not only about chatting but also about offering a listening ear.

Since then, Pete has expressed his intention to honor Doreen by performing on Strictly to one of her favorite songs. He confessed on The High Performance Podcast that she would have been thrilled to see him on the program.

He mentioned that she would have been thrilled by it. He believed that she never envisioned him performing ballroom dancing on a weekend evening.

Perhaps there’s a song that I may perform, which holds a deep significance for me, and if given the chance, I will dedicate it as a kind of tribute to her at some point during my tenure.

She possessed an outstanding sense of humor; therefore, it would have tickled her funny bone seeing me act proudly, mimicking a peacock.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6:20pm on BBC One and iPlayer. 

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2024-10-12 12:19