Pete Wicks became one of the most talked about personalities on the dance floor when he joined Strictly Come Dancing for its 2024 series. Known for his time on The Only Way Is Essex, his outspoken personality, distinctive style and reputation as a reality television favourite made him an instantly recognisable face in the ballroom. Yet Pete Wicks Strictly was never simply a story about a famous television personality learning a few dance routines. It became a surprisingly emotional journey filled with hard work, improvement, public support, memorable performances and plenty of attention surrounding his partnership with professional dancer Jowita Przystał.
For Pete, stepping into the world of ballroom and Latin dancing was a major change from the television environments he already knew. He admitted before the competition that Strictly was something he had previously said he would never do, making his decision to accept the challenge particularly interesting. He also described the experience as harder than Celebrity SAS, largely because dancing required him to learn something completely unfamiliar while performing under intense public and judges’ scrutiny. The Pete Wicks Strictly story therefore became one of stepping outside a comfort zone and discovering just how far determination could take him.
Who Is Pete Wicks?
Pete Wicks was born Peter James Wicks on 1 November 1988 in Harlow, Essex. He became widely known after joining The Only Way Is Essex, commonly known as TOWIE, in 2015. His long association with reality television helped establish his public profile, while his appearances on programmes including Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, Celebrity MasterChef and other entertainment shows expanded his reputation beyond TOWIE. He also became known as the co host of the Staying Relevant podcast with Sam Thompson.
What made Pete particularly interesting on Strictly was the contrast between his established television persona and the vulnerability that comes with being a beginner on a dance floor. Reality television can sometimes give celebrities room to rely on personality, humour and spontaneity, but dancing is different. Your feet cannot bluff their way through a routine. Every step has to land, every turn needs control and every movement has to work with your partner. That is where the Pete Wicks Strictly journey became more compelling, because viewers were able to watch him learn in real time rather than simply watch an experienced performer do what he already knew.
Why Did Pete Wicks Join Strictly?
Pete’s decision to join Strictly Come Dancing was particularly notable because he had previously said the programme was one show he would not take part in. He eventually changed his mind, explaining that life was too short to keep saying no to opportunities. His comments before the series also revealed that he understood the challenge ahead. He was not presenting himself as a natural dancer. Instead, he acknowledged that he was entering a completely new environment and expected the process to be demanding both physically and mentally.
That attitude became an important part of the Pete Wicks Strictly appeal. There was no expectation that he would walk into the ballroom looking like a professional dancer. In fact, his appeal came partly from the fact that he had plenty to learn. Viewers could see the rough edges, the uncertainty and then the gradual improvement. It was rather like watching someone who had spent years driving suddenly decide to compete in a Formula One car. The basic idea may be familiar, but the level of precision required is completely different. Pete’s challenge was to transform personality and confidence into actual dance technique, and that made his progress one of the more watchable stories of the series.
Pete Wicks Strictly Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Peter James Wicks |
| Date of birth | 1 November 1988 |
| Age during Strictly 2024 | 36 |
| Age in August 2026 | 37 |
| Birthplace | Harlow, Essex, England |
| Profession | Television personality and podcast host |
| Best known for | The Only Way Is Essex |
| Strictly series | Series 22 |
| Strictly year | 2024 |
| Professional dance partner | Jowita Przystał |
| Competition finish | 5th place |
| Elimination | Semi final |
| Highest reported score | 36 |
| Lowest reported score | 17 |
| Notable partnership | Jowita Przystał |
| Podcast | Staying Relevant |
| Podcast co host | Sam Thompson |
| Previous television work | TOWIE, Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and other programmes |
| Strictly challenge | Ballroom and Latin dance |
| Main public storyline | His dancing progress and partnership with Jowita |
| Series result | Eliminated after the semi final dance off |
The basic statistics underline how far the Pete Wicks Strictly experience went. He did not simply appear for a couple of weeks and disappear. Pete reached the semi final and finished fifth, with Jowita Przystał as his professional partner. His highest reported score was 36 for his Couple’s Choice routine, while his lowest was 17 for his Paso Doble. Those numbers tell an interesting story because they show a contestant whose performances could vary dramatically while still maintaining enough public support to remain in the competition.
His position also became particularly unusual during the latter stages. Pete was frequently near the bottom of the judges’ leaderboard, yet viewers continued to support him. The quarter final was a good example, with contemporary coverage noting that he narrowly avoided elimination despite finishing at the bottom of the scoreboard. This gap between judges’ scores and public support became one of the defining features of Pete Wicks Strictly. He may not always have been the technically strongest contestant, but clearly a large audience wanted to keep watching his journey.
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał
The partnership between Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał quickly became one of the biggest talking points of the series. Jowita was an experienced professional dancer who had already won Strictly Come Dancing with Hamza Yassin in 2022. That meant Pete had a teacher who understood precisely what the competition demanded and how to turn a celebrity beginner into a performer capable of handling the pressure of live television.
Their contrasting personalities helped make the partnership work on screen. Pete brought humour, cheekiness and an unmistakable reality television presence, while Jowita brought discipline, technique and professional experience. The relationship between a celebrity and professional partner is always central to Strictly, but with Pete and Jowita the dynamic attracted extra attention because of their visible chemistry. Their partnership became a little like a spark beside dry grass. The more they performed together, the more viewers noticed the connection between them.
The Romance Rumours Around Pete and Jowita
One of the biggest stories surrounding Pete Wicks Strictly was the speculation that Pete and Jowita might have developed romantic feelings for each other. Their chemistry on screen was frequently discussed, and their close working relationship naturally encouraged speculation from fans and entertainment media. Jowita was also seen praising Pete’s appearance and improvement, while the pair often appeared relaxed and affectionate during interviews and television appearances.
Pete, however, pushed back against the idea that their dance partnership automatically meant they were romantically involved. When asked about the rumours, he reportedly responded that there was no romance between them and explained that some of the more intimate moments were simply part of the choreography. That distinction matters because Strictly routines are designed to create emotion, drama and connection. A passionate dance can look incredibly convincing without necessarily reflecting a real life relationship. In Pete’s case, the chemistry became part of the entertainment surrounding the competition, but it should not be confused with confirmed romance.
Pete Wicks Strictly Performances
Pete’s performances became a mixture of technical struggle, personality and gradual improvement. His Salsa with Jowita to Queen’s Another One Bites The Dust was among the routines that gave audiences a chance to see him embrace the theatrical side of the programme. Other routines challenged him in completely different ways, forcing him to work on posture, footwork, timing, movement and performance quality.
His Paso Doble was one of his weaker moments from a scoring perspective, receiving 17 points according to available competition records. Yet that did not mean the audience immediately lost interest in him. Quite the opposite. Pete’s ability to keep returning to the dance floor after difficult weeks became part of his appeal. Some contestants shine immediately, while others develop slowly. Pete belonged much more to the second category.
His Couple’s Choice routine showed how much his performance could improve when he was able to combine movement with his own personality. The routine received a reported 36 points, his highest score of the series. That was an important moment because it demonstrated that Pete could produce a performance that connected with the judges as well as the audience. The transformation was not perfect, but it was noticeable.
How Pete Improved During Strictly
The biggest achievement of Pete Wicks Strictly was arguably his ability to survive the pressure for so long. The competition was not simply about learning choreography. Contestants had to remember routines, cope with nerves, work with professional dancers, absorb criticism and then perform live in front of millions of viewers. For someone who openly admitted that dancing was outside his comfort zone, lasting until the semi final represented a considerable achievement.
Pete also seemed to understand that Strictly was as much about entertainment as technical perfection. While judges naturally focus on details such as footwork, posture and timing, viewers often respond to something broader. They want to feel that a contestant is enjoying the experience. Pete’s humour and willingness to embrace his role helped him create a strong connection with the audience. His journey showed that a contestant does not necessarily need to dominate the leaderboard to become one of the most memorable personalities of a series.
Why Did Pete Wicks Leave Strictly?
Pete Wicks was eliminated during the semi final of Strictly Come Dancing 2024 after entering the dance off against Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec. Pete and Jowita performed their Argentine Tango again, while Tasha and Aljaž performed their Waltz. The judges unanimously chose to save Tasha and Aljaž, bringing Pete’s competition journey to an end.
His elimination was not entirely surprising given the scoring pattern throughout the later stages. Pete had frequently found himself near the bottom of the leaderboard, while the remaining contestants were producing increasingly polished performances. Yet reaching the semi final meant that he had already exceeded what many viewers might have expected at the beginning of the series. His exit therefore felt less like a failure and more like the natural conclusion of a contestant who had pushed himself further than his initial expectations suggested.
What Made Pete Wicks Strictly So Popular?
There is a simple reason the Pete Wicks Strictly story connected with so many viewers: it felt human. Pete was not introduced as an elite performer. He was a reality television personality who admitted that dancing was outside his comfort zone. Watching someone learn something difficult creates a different kind of connection. You recognise the mistakes because you have probably made similar mistakes when trying something unfamiliar yourself.
His popularity also came from personality. Pete has always had a distinctive television presence, and Strictly gave him a completely different stage on which to use it. His tattoos, long hair, humour and confident persona made him instantly recognisable, but the dance floor gradually revealed a softer and more vulnerable side. That contrast kept people interested. The man who looked completely comfortable in front of television cameras suddenly had to worry about whether his feet were in the right position.
Pete Wicks After His Strictly Journey
Although his time in the competition ended in December 2024, the attention surrounding Pete Wicks Strictly did not simply disappear with his elimination. His participation added another major chapter to his television career and demonstrated that his appeal could extend beyond reality television formats. He had already built a broad portfolio of appearances, but Strictly placed him in a particularly demanding environment where preparation, discipline and performance mattered every week.
The experience also strengthened his reputation as an entertainer who is willing to put himself in uncomfortable situations. That willingness has been an important part of Pete’s television career. Whether he is participating in a dating programme, a physical challenge, a cooking competition or a dance show, his strongest asset is often his ability to make the audience feel that they are seeing the real person rather than a perfectly polished celebrity product.
Pete Wicks Strictly Legacy
The legacy of Pete Wicks Strictly is not based on winning the Glitterball Trophy. Pete did not reach the final, and he was never the strongest dancer from a technical perspective. Instead, his legacy comes from the journey itself. He started as someone who openly questioned whether he belonged on the dance floor and ended up reaching the semi final of one of Britain’s biggest entertainment programmes.
His partnership with Jowita, the public support he received and the dramatic swings in his scores all contributed to a season that kept him in the spotlight. In many ways, Pete represented exactly what makes Strictly so entertaining. The show takes people from very different backgrounds, puts them under the same bright lights and asks them to learn a skill they may never have attempted before. Sometimes the technically strongest contestant becomes the favourite. Sometimes the person with the biggest personality captures the public imagination. Pete’s story belonged firmly in the latter category.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pete Wicks Strictly
Was Pete Wicks on Strictly Come Dancing?
Yes. Pete Wicks competed in the 2024 series of Strictly Come Dancing, the show’s twenty second series. He was partnered with professional dancer Jowita Przystał and reached the semi final.
Who was Pete Wicks’ Strictly partner?
Pete Wicks’ professional partner was Jowita Przystał. She was already an established Strictly professional and had previously won the competition with Hamza Yassin in 2022.
How far did Pete Wicks get on Strictly?
Pete reached the semi final and finished in fifth place. He was eliminated after facing Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec in the dance off.
Did Pete Wicks win Strictly?
No. Pete Wicks did not win Strictly Come Dancing in 2024. He finished fifth after being eliminated in the semi final.
What was Pete Wicks’ highest Strictly score?
His highest reported score was 36 points for his Couple’s Choice routine. His lowest reported score was 17 for his Paso Doble.
Were Pete Wicks and Jowita dating?
Romance rumours surrounded Pete and Jowita during the competition because of their visible chemistry. However, Pete denied that they were romantically involved and explained that intimate moments seen during performances were part of the choreography.
How old was Pete Wicks on Strictly?
Pete was 36 years old when he competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2024. He was born on 1 November 1988.
What is Pete Wicks famous for?
Pete is best known for appearing on The Only Way Is Essex. He has also appeared on several other television programmes and co hosts the Staying Relevant podcast with Sam Thompson.
Why was Pete Wicks popular on Strictly?
His popularity came from a combination of personality, humour, visible improvement and his partnership with Jowita. Although his scores were often lower than those of the strongest dancers, he continued receiving enough public support to reach the semi final.
Conclusion
The Pete Wicks Strictly journey was never really about whether Pete could become the best dancer in the ballroom. It was about watching a familiar television personality take on something he had previously considered outside his comfort zone and keep going week after week. From his partnership with Jowita Przystał and the romance speculation surrounding them to his fluctuating scores and strong public support, Pete became one of the most memorable personalities of the 2024 series. He may not have lifted the Glitterball Trophy, but reaching the semi final proved that Pete Wicks Strictly was a much bigger story than a simple celebrity appearance. His journey showed that sometimes the most entertaining contestant is not the one who dances perfectly, but the one who gives viewers a reason to keep watching.
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