BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Pete Wicks will do one thing if he is given the boot

Strictly Come Dancing's Pete Wicks has big plans when his journey on the BBC talent show comes to an end, according to his best pal, fellow reality TV star Sam Thompson

Former TOWIE star Pete Wicks won’t be hanging around lamenting the end of Strictly because he has his sights set on another TV show.

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Pete has been worried for weeks that his time on the show could be coming to an end. Despite his lack of confidence in his dancing skills, viewers and judges on the BBC talent show have been lapping up his performances. Thanks to his and professional partner Jowita Przystał’s moving Couple's Choice dance to Simply the Best, he is definitely going through to the finals. Pete, 36, fought back tears after the performance because he dedicated it to his beloved Nan, Doreen, who passed away in 2022.

One person who knows just how much it meant to Pete is his best friend, former Made in Chelsea’s Sam Thompson. The reality star is co-hosting ITV2’s I’m a Celebrity’s spin off show this year with comedian Joel Dommett and radio presenter Kemi Rodgers after winning the series last year.

He watched his mate’s dance while he was making his way over to Australia and loved it: "I called Pete when I was on the layover. He smashed his dance," he raved. "I watched it on the flight - it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. He deserved that ten from Shirley. So beautiful."

Pete travelled Down Under in 2023 to support Sam and visit him in the camp when the celebs get to have a reunion with family or friends. It seems that he enjoyed himself so much he’s thinking about jetting off again when his Strictly journey ends. "Pete did say if he gets booted out of Strictly he might come out and see me! We'll get to have another bridge reunion," Sam revealed.

Of course ladies’ man Pete also has another tempting reason to head to Aus as his rumoured girlfriend, Love Island ’s Maura Higgins is thought to be heading into the jungle. The couple have been linked for over a year and despite obvious chemistry between him and Jowita in the ballroom, he’s been spotted out on various dates with Maura getting up close and personal, with the latest thought to be their last before she jets off.

Maura spoke about her relationship with Pete during an interview on the We Need To Talk podcast with Paul Brunson, and said she had a real connection with the former The Only Way Is Essex star. She said they had been friends since she left Love Island in 2019, and had only recently taken their friendship to the next level. "We just get on very, very well. I adore him, he’s an amazing person," she explained.

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