Channel 4 bosses ‘furious’ after being ‘screwed over’ by BBC’s Strictly-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro

Channel 4 bosses are not impressed after the Strictly Come Dancing line-up was announced (Pictures: PA)

Channel 4 bosses are ‘fuming’ after Pete Wicks was cast on Strictly Come Dancing.

The former The Only Way is Essex star, 35, is one of the stars set to hit the dancefloor for the upcoming 20th season of the BBC series.

However, executives at the national broadcaster’s rival channel are not happy after it planned to air a series also starring him around the same time.

Pete is set to appear on the next season of SAS: Who Dares Wins, which was filmed in New Zealand in July last year.

It was his second shot at the gruelling SAS selection process after broken ribs forced him to quit the previous year.

However, due to Channel 4’s production schedule, the series won’t air until September, the same week that Pete will also appear on the return of Strictly.

Pete Wicks is one of the stars set to hit the dancefloor (Picture: BBC)

‘Channel 4 were fuming when Pete was revealed as part of this year’s Strictly cast,’ a source told The Sun.

‘It’s the second time they’ve been screwed over by another reality show.

‘After Pete was knocked unconscious and broke his ribs in 2022’s series, his return to try and pass selection was a big deal and the first time [ex-Special Forces lead instructor] Billy Billingham and the directing staff have allowed a celeb to try out twice.’

The source added: ‘Bosses wanted his to be one of the main storylines on the show, a real redemption arc, but now they’ve been trumped by Strictly.’

They also said that ‘all plans for Pete to give interviews for SAS: WDW will be overtaken by Strictly and bosses are furious but there’s nothing they can do about it’.

This isn’t the first time Channel 4 has faced a crossover of contestants.

However he is also appearing on the upcoming season of SAS: Who Dares Wins (Picture: Joseph Okpako/ WireImage)

In 2022, former MP Matt Hancock appeared on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity before his stint on SAS was broadcast the following year.

He appeared in their 2023 season, which was filmed in the Vietnamese jungle in the summer of 2022.

However, before that show hit screens, Channel 4 was beaten by I’m A Celebrity, which started airing in November 2022.

Pete’s casting on Strictly was announced on Kiss FM’s Breakfast Show last week after he was heavily rumoured to be a contestant.

It comes after his close friend Zara McDermott appeared on last year’s season.

Pete got to know Zara through his best pal and I’m A Celebrity winner Sam Thompson – who ‘cried and screamed’ over the Towie star’s new role.

Speaking on Kiss, Pete told Jordan and Perri: ‘Sam already knows, I did tell Sam and Sam cried.

A source said the news had ‘screwed over’ Channel 4 ahead of the reality series’ return (Picture: Pete Dadds)

‘I am not even joking – he screamed and jumped up and down and cried and planned that every Saturday he will be at the show.

‘He is making T-shirts – the guy really needs to get a life.

‘He’s my number one fan in life, he is kind of like Martha from Baby Reindeer, that is our relationship.’

Pete has also previously appeared on Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls, Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity MasterChef, The Celebrity Circle and The Real Full Monty.

Metro.co.uk has contacted Channel 4 and BBC for comment.

Strictly Come Dancing and SAS: Who Dares Wins return to the BBC and Channel 4 later this year.

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