Pete Wicks, The Strictly 2024 contestant who rose to fame on Towie
Strictly Come Dancing is back with its 20th anniversary season, featuring a diverse lineup of contestants from various backgrounds and abilities. Among them is Pete Wicks, known for his appearances on The Only Way is Essex, as well as his work in radio, podcasts, and as a bestselling author.
The 35-year-old TV personality is not only recognised for his tough exterior but also for his gentle nature, particularly towards his loved ones, including his close friend, Sam Thompson from Made in Chelsea. Wicks and Thompson’s friendship blossomed when they met on Celebs Go Dating in 2018 and later reunited on I’m a Celebrity, leaving both emotional. Together, they host the highly popular Staying Relevant podcast which has garnered over 5 million downloads and topped the comedy charts multiple times.
In addition to his entertainment career, Wicks is a passionate advocate for animals. He is set to present a dog-umentary called “Pete Wicks: For Dog’s Sake” and has authored a book celebrating French Bulldogs titled “For The Love of Frenchies: The Dogs That Changed My Life”. Wicks actively supports animal charities, notably the Dog’s Trust, and has called for the government to ban fur imports.
Wicks’ presenting style has won him hosting roles at prestigious events such as the BRIT Awards, Pride of Britain Awards, and National Television Awards. His television appearances include Celebrity SAS, Celebrity Juice, CelebAbility, Supermarket Sweep, and Celebrity MasterChef. He is also known for his past relationship with Megan McKenna, another fiery Towie star, with whom he had dramatic moments on screen.
The announcement of Wicks joining the Strictly 2024 lineup was made on the Kiss FM Breakfast Show alongside former Love Island contestant Tasha Ghouri. Expressing a mix of excitement and fear, Wicks confessed to feeling both thrilled and petrified about the challenge of dancing live on national television every Saturday. He stated, “Anyone who knows me knows I love a challenge and trying new things, so I’m genuinely looking forward to getting stuck in.”
As the competition heats up on Strictly, fans eagerly anticipate seeing Pete Wicks showcase his dancing skills and charming personality on the dance floor.