PETE Wicks has opened up on being subject to “death threats” after making it to the quarter final stages on Strictly Come Dancing.
The TOWIE alum, 36, spoke candidly as he was joined with his BBC professional partner Jowita Przystal, 30, on his Staying Relevant podcast.
Former Strictly champ Jowita was standing in for Pete’s co-host and BFF Sam Thompson, 32, after he flew to Australia to host the I’m A Celeb spin-off show.
In a candid appraisal of their time on the BBC One series – which is the 20th of its kind – he told her: “You’re the only person I can dance with, I cant dance without you.”
Yet he then spoke about the darker side of his dance show experience, including the trolling.
Pete has progressed through the rounds of the series and told fans on Sunday it’s “not his dancing” that’s keeping him in – crediting the public vote.
Yet the fact some stars who are considered better at technique – rather than excelling at progress – are being dumped from the show has left some fans upset.
Pete told how such viewers had taken to dish out vile insults online, and said: “Since Strictly, there have been some real crackers.
“Someone actually wished death upon me on the dance floor the other day.
“Yeah.”
Jowita replied: “Really?” to which Pete continued to detail the insults and added the troll had said: “‘Lets all keep our fingers crossed that he gets booted out and breaks both legs slipping on the floor.'”
The comment left Jowita gobsmacked and she said: “What?”
Fans were also quick to comment on the shock statement on Reddit.
One fan posted: “He said on his podcast that he’s been receiving loads of hate messages, and even death threats, because he’s still in the competition.
“Are people actually okay?! Like it’s just an entertainment show, it’s not that deep. And even if it was, death threats are never okay.
“Just makes me more determined to vote for him, so people can continue to lose their minds over a celebrity dancing show.”
Another put: “My jaw dropped when he said that on the pod. It’s absolutely disgusting. And the comments on here have been vile towards him and anyone who defends him.
“As if their opinion means more than anyone else’s that supports Pete. No. Grow the f**k up. I’m seriously fed up with it.”
Here's who is matched with who this series...
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas
JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe
Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał
Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones
Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones
A third then put: “That’s awful how can he help it if ppl are voting for him absolute lunatics.”
Pete has previously told how he continually feels “overwhelmed” to swerve the dance off week on week.
After this weekend’s Tango, to Phil Collins track Easy Lover, he again sailed through to the next stage on the public vote.
Instead, Strictly fans watched as Jamie Borthwick and his partner Michelle Tsiakkas were eliminated.
Speaking to Claudia Winkleman after hearing the news, Pete 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.”
