Pete Wicks, star of the hit show Strictly Come Dancing, has openly expressed his disappointment after he and his dance partner, Jowita Przystał, were eliminated just before the final stages of the competition. Having been the 11th couple to leave the show last month, Wicks and Przystał narrowly missed securing their place among the coveted finalists.
The esteemed lineup vying for the Glitterball Trophy featured JB Gill and Lauren Oakley, Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola, and Chris McCausland paired with Dianne Buswell. It was Liverpool-born comedian Chris who eventually emerged victorious—making history as the show’s first blind contestant to win the competition.
Reflecting on his time on the show, Wicks, aged 37, remarked, “I always said I wasn’t there to win it,” indicating he did not anticipate clinching the top prize. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but feel disheartened for Jowita, who he believes deserved to showcase her talents on the final stage. “I was gutted for Jowita though, because I think she deserved to be in the final. She deserved it so much for dragging me through the number of weeks she did,” said Wicks during his interview with Heat magazine.
The elimination just before the final left them with no opportunity to perform what is known as the show dance—a spectacle greatly anticipated by audiences. Wicks expressed his hope to eventually have the chance to execute such a performance, noting, “It’s something means a lot to both of us.” Despite his self-confessed struggles with dancing, he found the experience of being on the show to be immensely rewarding, describing it as “really, really beautiful.”
On the brighter side, Wicks was pleased to see the former Love Island star Tasha advance to the finals alongside JB and Chris, expressing satisfaction with the way it all turned out. “There is no one I would have rather lost a dance off to than Tasha. She is the most beautiful dancer, the most beautiful person inside and out and I’m so proud of her for making the final because she deserves it so much,” he noted passionately on Instagram.
Following their exit, Wicks took to social media to extend his sincerest apologies to Jowita for not reaching the final together, feeling he let her down. But Jowita had other sentiments to share upon their departure. She reassured Wicks, saying, “I’m so proud of you and you don’t need to be sorry for anything. For me we won and I gain way more than being in the final... I gain a beautiful friendship.”
The camaraderie and friendship forged throughout their time together has been one of the brightest aspects for both dancers, allowing them to walk away with cherished memories regardless of the outcome. For Jowita, the experience transcended merely competing for the trophy and solidified lasting bonds with her partner.
The final round of Strictly Come Dancing culminated with moments of dazzling performances, but for Wicks and Przystał, their time spent on the dance floor will forever be marked by the joy and connection they developed. Though they may not have taken home the Glitterball Trophy, they undoubtedly acquired something even more meaningful: friendship and mutual admiration.