Pete Wicks has revealed that close pal Zara McDermott 'pushed' him to do Strictly Come Dancing - despite claims that she was abused on the BBC show.
During an appearance on ITV's Lorraine on Monday, the former TOWIE star, 36, opened up about how the former Love Islander's 'love' for the programme was the driving force behind him deciding to sign up.
He admitted: 'Zara was the one that kind of pushed me to do this because she loves the show. I was quite honest about the fact I had never actually seen it.
'The first time I saw Strictly was the first live show last year when Zara was on and I just thought wow, this is amazing - but I never imagined myself doing it. Sequins, all that stuff, is not necessarily my style.'
He added: 'I am petrified. I'm like a Ferrari from the waist down and Volvo from the top half. I've got the hips but nothing else.'
Pete Wicks has revealed that close pal Zara McDermott 'pushed' him to do Strictly Come Dancing - despite claims that she was abused on the BBC show
During an appearance on ITV 's Lorraine on Monday, the former TOWIE star (right), 36, opened up about how the former Love Islander's (centre-right) 'love' for the programme was the driving force behind him deciding to sign up
Pete's Strictly appearance came as a surprise to some viewers, given his friendship with Zara, and her boyfriend Sam Thompson, following her negative experience.
However, breaking her silence on Instagram last month, the documentary maker threw her support behind Pete saying it 'made her so happy.'
Re-posting the official announcement, Zara wrote: 'I've never been so excited. Love you.'
In a comment, she added: 'This makes me so happy. You’re going to have the best time. I am so proud of you. I cannot wait to see you in some sparkles and maybe even some hot pants.'
Sam also shared: 'No words. So proud of you... the content we are going to make that you don't even know about yet.'
It follows shocking reports Zara performed on the show with a 'fractured' leg following an injury in training and needed painkillers to get through ten-hour rehearsals.
The latest revelation comes after professional dancer Graziano, 30, admitted to kicking Zara during their sessions, causing him to be sacked from the BBC series.
There were claims that his abusive behaviour was caught on video, in clips Zara stated were 'incredibly distressing to watch.'
The former TOWIE star, who is gearing up for 2024 Strictly Come Dancing, also shared his 'devastating' fears ahead of the competition this month
It follows shocking reports Zara performed on the show with a 'fractured' leg following an injury in training and needed painkillers to get through ten-hour rehearsals (pictured on the show with Graziano)
Reality stars Sam and Pete became friends following their appearance on E4 show Celebs Go Dating in 2019 and have since hosted podcast Staying Relevant together
A source told MailOnline: 'Zara is so happy for Pete landing the Strictly gig.
'Her experience on the show was so individual – she hopes no one will go through the same again.'
They added: 'She knows that Pete will have an amazing time and could even impress the judges, he's incredibly hardworking and a good person, and will thrive in the environment, which can be intense, but he performs best when he's challenged and under pressure.
'Zara doesn't want anything that happened to her to taint his Strictly journey and backs Pete even if it is a bit close to home.'
Pete joined Sam in the Strictly studio audience last year and together they wore patterned shirts embellished with Zara's face to show their support.
They posed for photographs alongside Zara and Graziano, who has since fled to his native Sicily in the wake of his Strictly axing.
Reality stars Sam and Pete became friends following their appearance on E4 show Celebs Go Dating in 2019 and have since hosted podcast Staying Relevant together.
As well as their podcast, the pair's working relationship sees them prank each other in viral social media videos based around Sam's enthusiasm and eagerness to please juxtaposed with Pete's moodiness.
Speaking of his upcoming Strictly appearance, Pete said: 'I am petrified. I'm like a Ferrari from the waist down and Volvo from the top half. I've got the hips but nothing else'
Zara often features in the clips, which has seen the trio perform fun dance routines for their huge combine following.
The Sun revealed Zara needed painkillers to get through ten-hour training sessions after breaking a leg bone on Strictly.
A source told the publication the TV star danced during the show's Halloween week with a fractured leg, and it was 'literal horror in every sense of the word.'
An X-ray revealed severe ligament damage plus a stress fracture on her left tibia.
Show bosses learned the full extent of the injury only two weeks ago when Zara spoke to private investigators amid the inquiry into Graziano's behaviour.
During Pete's appearance on Lorraine on Monday, he also revealed the 'toughest thing he has ever been through' - losing his 'best friend' and grandmother Doreen in 2022.
To help him cope, Pete said he has 'a very good circle of strong women' around him who help him process his feelings.
He said: 'She was amazing Doreen, just an angel on earth. She had a major impact on my life and loosing her is the toughest thing I've ever been through.
PDuring Pete's appearance on Lorraine on Monday, he also revealed the 'toughest thing he has ever been through' - losing his 'best friend' and grandmother Doreen in 2022
He said: 'She was amazing Doreen, just an angel on earth. She had a major impact on my life and loosing her is the toughest thing I've ever been through'
'She was more than a grandma she was my best friend. You can't really understand your own emotions and feelings. Mine came out as anger because I couldn't process what I was feeling.
'I surround myself with a very good circle of strong women, it's really important.
'Women are so much more important at understanding and getting through difficult situations.
'The boys go to the pub and it's like "you alright, how are you" and that's it. It does make a massive difference, it's not just about talking it's having someone just to listen.'
His upcoming book Never Enough: My Words Unfiltered, which covers raw topics including suicide and grief, releases September 5.
