Yahoo News Strictly's Pete Wicks opens up on "horrendous" abuse he received
Strictly Come Dancing star Pete Wicks has opened up about the online abuse he received whilst on the show, describing it as "horrendous".
The former The Only Way is Essex star competed in the 22nd season of the BBC show last year, with he and his professional partner Jowita Przystal making it all the way to the semi-finals.
Despite just falling agonisingly short of the grand final, the reality star did face criticism along the way as he ranked 9th - out of 15 couples - in terms of average score per dance, with some viewers claiming he didn't deserve to make it that far in the competition.
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In an interview with The Times, Wicks - who has also appeared on Celebs Go Dating - reflected on the criticism he faced, sharing: "Some of the messages I got were beautiful, but the horrendous things were heartbreaking.
"I've learnt you shouldn't take too much interest in the good stuff or listen to the bad stuff, but normally I'm in control of the narrative. This was me at my most vulnerable I've been on television, so the negative stuff was harder to take."
Wicks also spoke about the coverage of his partnership with Przystal, sharing that insinuations that the pair were in a romantic relationship - which they both repeatedly denied - had "tainted" their experience together.
"Absolutely nothing was going on," Wicks said. "The headlines were adamant, even after we told everyone we were just friends. But Jowita was a really amazing, beautiful person. One thing I've taken away from Strictly is a friend for life in her, but the way the press banged on about us tainted some of the experience."
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"It didn't change me. I'm the same person now I was when I went into it. But it allowed people to see this other side of me," he continued. "That jazz-handsy, cheesy stuff is so far out of my comfort zone. I'm cynical, with a dry sense of humour. But everyone else wanted me to do it - my friends, my management - and it was one of the best things I've ever done.
"I absolutely still can't dance. I've never even danced at a wedding or in a bar. I've two left feet and no rhythm whatsoever. I can't even clap to a beat. But I do like learning, and being taught by someone who's a world-class expert in what they do was absolutely priceless."
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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