Pete Wicks reveals Zara McDermott ‘pushed him’ to do Strictly after pro Graziano was axed amid ‘physical abuse’ claims
PETE Wicks has revealed Zara McDermott “pushed him” to sign up for Strictly Come Dancing – despite being at the centre of the BBC show’s “physical abuse” scandal.
The former TOWIE star, 36, told Monday’s Lorraine show how the Love Island alumni, 27 – who competed in the 2023 season – was the driving force behind him signing up because “she loves the show.”
His remarks came just hours after Zara gave her take on Pete’s fresh Strictly Come Dancing look.
The BBC documentary-maker has put her troubling experience on the long-running series – which saw her professional partner Graziano Di Prima axed – to one side.
Giovanni was fired by the BBC following claims he hit, spat at and kicked at his former celebrity partner.
Zara then broke her silence with a lengthy comment on the alleged “physical incidents” – yet it is clear she is still a fan of the over-arching concept of the show.
Lorraine show host Lorraine Kelly, who was returning to her ITV programme after a lengthy summer break, asked Pete what advice she had given him.
He replied: “Zara has said to me …” before Lorraine interjected and he replied: “Zara is kind of the one who pushed me to do it because she loves the show.
“And I was quite honest about the fact I had never actually seen it.”
He went on to say it was only when Zara – who is the girlfriend of his best mate Sam Thompson – starred on it, he started taking interest.
He also told Lorraine how he was “petrified” of his new telly gig just weeks before the live shows start.
Talking of his frame, he said: “I am like a Ferrari from the waist down, but a Volvo from the waist up.
“The hips are there – I have got hips but nothing else.
“I feel like you need the whole body.”
Meanwhile, Zara previously broke her silence on Pete signing up for the hit BBC series.
Graziano Di Prima - Strictly statement in FULL
GRAZIANO Di Prima has addressed his Strictly Come Dancing sacking with a statement on social media - see the details below.
In a statement shared to his Instagram page Graziano wrote: “I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.
“Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it’s best for the show that I step away.”
He continued: “While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can’t discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends.
“I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future.”
He concluded the post: “I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story.”
At the time, 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.
“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.”
The Sun also revealed that Zara had broken a leg bone in a tough training session during the show last year.
Graziano has since returned to his normal job, working for £6 an hour on a farm in his native Italy.
Recently, The Sun reported claims the BBC has forked out a six-figure sum on the recent scandal.
The investigation which saw Graziano sacked was sparked by the initial probe which looked into complaints filed by several of Italian pro Giovanni Pernice’s former celebrity dance partners.
Giovanni, 33, who quit the BBC show earlier this year strongly denies the claims.