November 4th 2024.
On Sunday night, Pete Wicks took on the daunting role of Freddie Mercury on Strictly Come Dancing, but unfortunately, it didn't go over well with the judges. As the results show approached, he was in a dangerous position. Not only was he chosen to be the first dancer of the night, a "curse" that has often resulted in the performer landing in the bottom two, but he also found himself at the bottom of the leaderboard after a less-than-stellar performance for Icons Week. Despite making several mistakes, Pete managed to narrowly escape the bottom two, with Sam Quek ultimately being eliminated as the judges chose to save Montell Douglas, the dark horse of the competition.
This serves as further proof that Pete has already won the biggest prize on Strictly Come Dancing. Though he may not fit the traditional mold of a contestant on the show, he is on track to become one of its most unlikely success stories. But what sets Pete apart from the others?
Before joining The Only Way Is Essex, the popular reality show had already reached its peak. But that didn't stop Pete from becoming a part of the third or fourth generation of cast members. He was introduced to viewers in Marbella as the best friend of James Locke and quickly became known as the show's first tattooed "bad boy," earning the nickname "Pirate Pete." He was there to break hearts and stir up drama, and he certainly didn't disappoint.
There were moments when Pete's actions were indefensible, such as when his then-girlfriend Megan McKenna caught him sexting an ex, ultimately leading to the end of their relationship. And there were times when his fear of commitment seemed to be a bit unhinged – who could forget when he secretly dated Chloe Sims for months, even getting a tattoo of her, but still refused to call her his girlfriend?
But even at his worst, Pete remained likable. Despite living up to the image of a classic reality TV villain, he had a charm that set him apart from the toxic men on Towie. He didn't engage in petty arguments with his co-stars unless he was dragged into them. He had a quick wit, a dry sense of humor, and a wisdom that seemed out of place on a show like Towie.
Unlike his co-stars who were desperate for fame, Pete revealed in his book "For the Love of Frenchies: The Dogs that Changed My Life" that all he really wanted was the chance to be at home more so he could get a dog. In 2023, he quit Towie for good, and while he may not have been the biggest character to come from the show, he has become one of its most successful. Even better, he has cemented himself as the antithesis of a toxic male.
As he currently hosts the podcast "Staying Relevant," which discusses the challenges of staying relevant in the public eye, with his friend and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! winner Sam Thompson, it is clear that Pete has come a long way since his Towie days. The two men have formed an unlikely friendship after appearing on Celebs Go Dating together, and their bond is a true testament to brotherhood. They are more affectionate with each other than most couples and are not afraid to be vulnerable, especially when it comes to discussing mental health. Pete's cool and laid-back personality blends perfectly with Sam's boundless enthusiasm, which helped him become King of the Jungle in 2023.
Now, on Strictly Come Dancing, Pete is once again proving that, despite what people may think, he doesn't take himself too seriously. When he danced onto the stage dressed as Joaquin Phoenix's Joker, it was clear that he was truly enjoying every moment of being on the show. And for any Towie fan, it was a surreal sight to see Pete swinging around the ballroom in a loincloth as Tarzan.
But as much as I have grown to love Pete, I know that his personality alone may not be enough to take him all the way to the final. At this point, it seems like either Chris McCausland or Sarah Hadland's competition to lose – and rightfully so. But I don't even think Pete has his eye on the prize. He genuinely loves being on the show and puts his all into each performance.
But even if he doesn't make it to the end, it doesn't matter. Just like Mark Wright, Jamie Laing, and AJ Odudu before him, he doesn't need to win Strictly to be the contestant who will benefit the most from it. AJ came in third place in 2022 and has hardly been off television since – she even became the presenter of Big Brother, 10 years after being dropped from its spin-off series Big Brother's Bit On The Side. Jamie was already a successful entrepreneur, with his confectionary business Candy Kittens, but Strictly gave him a level of credibility that money couldn't buy. And Mark, the ultimate Towie villain, successfully rebranded himself as TV's golden boy and has been a familiar face on television for years.
If their success is any indication, Pete is about to have a television career he could only have dreamed of last year. And his friendship with Sam is the partnership that TV has been longing for – a genuine bond filled with genuine love and support. In my opinion, they are the first duo who could even come close to being compared to the iconic duo Ant and Dec.
But Pete is also a star on his own. While few Strictly viewers may be familiar with his friendship with Sam, they are enamored with Pete himself. Mark my words, Pete will be walking away from the show with much more than just a Glitterball trophy.
Do you think Pete Wicks is doing well on Strictly? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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