PETE Wicks has said it’s ‘not his dancing’ keeping him in Strictly Come Dancing after being saved by the public.
The former TOWIE star was left stunned on Sunday night as he and pro dancer Jowita were kept in the competition.
Strictly fans watched as Jamie Borthwick and his partner Michelle Tsiakkas were eliminated.
It came after they faced the dance-off alongside Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe.
But as fans fumed that Pete Wicks was saved, he himself has acknowledged his miraculous save.
Speaking to Claudia Winkleman after hearing the news, Pete, 36, said: “There is literally only two reasons I’m still here and that is for people at home.
“I’ve never done anything like this and I am so overwhelmed people are supporting us like genuinely, it’s certainly not down to the dancing, but also Jowita.
“If I had been with anyone else I wouldn’t be here, they’re all amazing but she’s become like a best friend to me. Like I’m so pleased I get to spend another week doing this with you.”
Following Pete’s save, fans took to social media, with one saying: “Seriously people please please stop voting for Pete enough is enough.”
A second wrote: “Pete Wicks seems like a nice enough chap but I can’t believe people are voting for him over Montell.”
“I love Pete, he’s a laugh and he’s trying and he’s what it’s about. But I’m sorry what the f**k,” said a third.
While a fourth commented: “They will not let Pete near the dance off.”
Gorka Marquez joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer in 2016 when he was partnered with EastEnders actress Tameka Empson. The following year he was partnered with singer Alexandra Burke. They reached the final and finished as one of the runners-up.
In 2020, he was partnered with actress Maisie Smith. Again, he made it to the final and finished as a runner-up.
He failed to make it third time lucky in 2022, finishing runner-up again with Helen Skelton.
Nadiya Bychkova joined the show in 2017 with EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami. The pair reached Week 11, finishing in 6th place.
Her best performance to date came in 2021 when she finished fifth with Dan Walker.
Neil Jones has been without a celebrity partner more times than he’s had one since joining in 2016.
His best finish was with ex-footballer Alex Scott in 2019, finishing in fifth.
Katya Jones was another 2016 addition and made an instant impression with politician Ed Balls. Their Gangnam Style routine is still a favourite to this day.
In 2017 she lifted the Glitterball with Joe McFadden.
The following year she was at the heart of a show scandal after snogging her dance partner, the comedian Seann Walsh.
Karen Hauer has been an ever-present since 2012.
Despite her lengthy association with the show, she’s never lifted the Glitterball. The closest she came was in 2020 when she finished runner-up with Jamie Laing.
