Pete Wicks swerves Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour despite being a fan favourite as REAL reason behind his shock absence is revealed
Strictly favourite Pete Wicks has shocked fans by swerving the show’s live tour, MailOnline can reveal.
The former TOWIE star, 36, is the notable absentee from the celebrity line-up alongside blind comedian Chris McCausland, 47, despite the pair being a hit with BBC viewers.
Pete, who has so far avoided being in the dance-off due to his unwavering popularity, ‘respectfully declined’ to feature in the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2025 due to having ‘prior work and filming commitments.’
EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick and opera singer Wynne Evans join Strictly glitter ball contenders Tasha Ghouri and JB Gill on the UK tour, which begins in Birmingham on January 17 and concludes at London’s O2 Arena on February 9.
Gladiator Montell Douglas, soap star Shayne Ward and Miranda actress Sarah Hadland will also feature in the series of live dance shows hosted by former professional dancer Janette Manrara and judged by panel Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse.
But fans will be disappointed not to see Pete and his dance partner Jowita Przystał grace the stage, with sources saying the podcaster is ‘gutted’ he couldn’t join his co-stars on the arena tour.
Strictly favourite Pete Wicks has shocked fans by swerving the show’s live tour, MailOnline can reveal
The former TOWIE star is the notable absentee from the celebrity line-up alongside blind comedian Chris McCausland despite the pair being a hit with BBC viewers
Pete, who has so far avoided being in the dance-off due to his unwavering popularity, ‘respectfully declined’ to feature in the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2025
A source close to Pete told MailOnline: ‘Pete is gutted that he’s unable to commit to the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour.
‘He already has filming and work commitments in the spring, which makes dedicating his time to the performing schedule impossible.
‘Pete made it clear from the beginning he wouldn’t be available for the shows in 2025 but now he feels regretful over not having a clear diary.
‘His popularity among Strictly viewers is clear and he would have received such a positive reaction from audiences at the shows. He will certainly be there in spirit.’
This week, Pete and Jowita will perform two dances for the first time in the competition, the Argentine Tango to Bittersweet by Symphony The Verve and a Foxtrot to Beyond The Sea by Bobby Darin.
It comes after the pair avoided being in the dance-off during Sunday night’s results show, which saw Tasha compete for her place against Montell, who was subsequently voted off by the judges.
Strictly viewers have been compelled by Pete’s commitment to the show and have kept him in the competition despite his low scores on the leaderboard.
He reportedly has a close relationship with dance professional Jowita, who has guided him throughout the process but the pair insist their bond is nothing more than friendship.
Meanwhile, Pete’s rumoured girlfriend, former Love Island contestant Maura Higgins, is competing for the jungle crown on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
MailOnline has contacted Pete’s representatives for comment.
Former Love Island star Tasha Ghouri has joined the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour lineup
Opera singer Wynne Evans will compete during the live shows on tour, where audiences vote for their favourite couple each performance
Pete remains in the Strictly competition while former co-stars Wynne and Jamie have been voted out of the series
Strictly viewers have been compelled by Pete’s commitment to the show and have kept him in the competition despite his low scores on the leaderboard
This week, Maura spoke about her romance with Pete for the first time to campmate GK Barry, who was keen to learn the status of their relationship.
She said: ‘I’m single… I’m not in a relationship. People can date and not be in a relationship and take things slow without the whole media getting involved in their s***.
‘What’s the point in getting them involved too soon when you just don’t know where it’s going to go, you know?
‘We have already been papped with our tongues down each other’s necks, we were outside a restaurant and had no idea.’
She continued: ‘Being in the public eye at the beginning I have to say was very, very hard but it was extra hard for me because I moved country at the same time, I’m just that little girl from the middle of Ireland surrounded by cows and sheep.’
Before their stints on Strictly and I’m A Celeb, Pete and Maura were pictured passionately kissing at several red carpet events including the Pride of Britain Awards.
The pair, who have been friends for years, continue to play down their romance due to previously having failed romances in the public eye.
Maura has dated the likes of Curtis Pritchard, Chris Taylor and Giovanni Pernice while Pete enjoyed flings with Megan McKenna, Shelby Tribble and Chloe Sims.
