TV personality Pete Wicks struggled to hide his disappointment as he made an appearance on Thursday’s Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two.
The 36-year-old The Only Way Is Essex star found himself bottom of the BBC Strictly leaderboard over the weekend, and the blow seems to have taken a hit on his confidence.
As the pair joined Janette Manrara on the chat show, the former Strictly professional-turned-presenter was quick to address the mishaps in Wicks’ routine.
“It was Strictly’s first ever Icons Week and you opened the show,” she pointed out. “How nerve-wracking was Saturday for you?”
“I am nervous every week,” a serious-looking Wicks replied, continuing: “But yeah, it being the first week, it was nerve-wracking.”
Criticising his performance, he went on: “What a terrible way to start as well.”
Pete Wicks admitted he felt he ‘deserved to go’ on the latest BBC Strictly
BBC
“Don’t say that,” Manrara pleaded before assuring him all dancers occasionally make mistakes.
She went on to asking Przystal: “The judges picked up on how well he recovered form the mistakes. How did you get his focus back in the routine?”
“I was so surprised,” the dancer admitted. “Because normally when Pete does a mistake, he freezes and look at him, he kept going and we even got a smile on his face, so I think it’s a win-win, but it’s a live show, anything can happen.”
Wicks, who was still sporting a displeased look, later added: “Listen, I am not great at being bad at things and I just want to get better.
Jowita Przystal and Pete Wicks appeared on Thursday’s It Takes Two
BBC
“I have put so much into this whole thing that when things like that happen, I feel like I have let people down and I hate letting people down.
“I feel like I let Jowita down and the people watching down. I just want everyone to enjoy it.”
When asked about his relief at getting through to this week, he admitted: “I was sure we were going. I was warming up, just before that.
“If I am really honest, I think based on that, I probably deserved to go but because of the people at home, we are still here and I couldn’t be more grateful.
“It is the only reason I am still here and I am so thankful. I don’t want to leave, I want to stay and learn more and without them I wouldn’t have the opportunity to do what I’m doing.”
It came as the pair achieved a disappointing 22 points following their Salsa, with the judges noting Wicks’ various blunders.
Manrara went on to explain the two would be dancing a Couple’s Choice to Simply The Best by Nicotine Dolls.
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Jowita Przystal and Pete Wicks were at the bottom of last week’s Strictly leaderboard
BBC
The routine is set to be an emotional one, with Wicks noting the song had been played at his nan’s funeral.
“I had not heard the song all the way through since my nan’s funeral,” he informed the presenter.
“My nan was my best mate and we played this at her funeral, it was her favourite.song and if there was one person I wish was here and was able to watch me, it would be her – and she has not been.”
“It’s been a tough week,” he added, concluding: “I have spent more time crying than dancing.”