Reality star Pete Wicks has revealed close friend Zara McDermott “pushed” him to compete on the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Former Love Island star McDermott appeared on the hit BBC dancing show in 2023, partnered with professional enteral with Graziano Di Prima.

Earlier this year, allegations were raised about Di Prima’s treatment of McDermott when they competed together on the Strictly last year.

In an Instagram post in July, McDermott said she “wrestled with the fear of opening up” about her time on the show because she feared “public backlash” and “victim shaming”.

She wrote in a statement: “So much of my Strictly experience was everything I could have dreamed of.

"The entire production team and everyone behind the scenes as well as my fellow contestants were so amazing to work with.

“However, my experience inside the training room was very different.

"Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch.”

She added that she had spoken “candidly” to the BBC about her time on the show and thanked the corporation for their “swift action and incredibly high level of support”.

Pete Wicks has revealed it was close friend and Love Island star Zara McDermott that persuaded him to take part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2024.Pete Wicks has revealed it was close friend and Love Island star Zara McDermott that persuaded him to take part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2024. (Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

Her statement came after it was confirmed that Di Prima would no longer be part of the 2024 professional line-up.

A statement from Di Prima in July said: “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.”

The BBC has since revealed it will introduce new welfare measures, including a chaperone who will be present “at all times” during rehearsals.

Pete Wicks reveals Zara McDermott "pushed" him to be on Strictly Come Dancing

Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine about how he was feeling about competing on the upcoming series of Strictly, The Only Way Is Essex star Wicks said he was “petrified”.

“I’m like a Ferrari from the waist down and a Volvo from the waist up”, he added.

“The hips are there but the top half doesn’t move.”

Asked if McDermott had offered him any advice, he said: “Zara … was the one that kind of pushed me to do this because she loves the show.

“I’ve been quite honest about it, I’ve never actually seen it.

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“The first time I saw Strictly was the first live show last year when Zara was on it and and I just thought, wow, this is amazing.

“But I never imagined myself doing it. Sequins and all that sort of stuff is not necessarily (my style).”

Despite his fears, he said he is “excited” to take on another new project as he noted the focus of his new book, Never Enough: My Words Unfiltered, is about overcoming challenges.