Strictly viewers ‘change their minds’ over reality star dubbed ‘national treasure’-Tori Brazier-Entertainment – Metro

Strictly Come Dancing fans have changed their minds over Pete Wicks after being won over by his outrageously silly Samba on Saturday night.

The former Towie star, 35, and pro partner Jowita Przystał performed a lively routine to the theme song from 1997 comedy film, George of the Jungle, during the show’s popular Movie Week.

It involved Pete swinging in on a vine from the judges’ table, where he had started off by shaking his derriere in judge Craig Revel Horwood’s face.

As well as receiving his highest score to date from the judging panel with 26, it appears that viewers at home also enjoyed watching the reality star let loose.

‘I will say I went into this year’s Strictly with pre conceptions of @p_wicks01 – he wasn’t in shows I cared to watch to so think I labelled him as such but he really is a breath of air!’ praised @helendickinson147 on Instagram. ‘Not taking himself seriously yet throwing himself fully into this.’

‘I thought I’d hate him but I love him 😂,’ added @mummaleg, who shared that she’s never seen him in anything before.

Jowita Przystał  and Pete Wicks performed a jungle-themed Samba (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC)

The energetic routine included entering swinging on a vine for Pete, who is charming fans (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC)

‘I have warmed to him a lot, I just can’t help it 😂 love these two,’ commented @des_moongirl, while @shoopydoop responded: ‘I agree. I didn’t think I’d like him but I’m rooting for him. Love them!’

‘Think Pete’s trying really hard and enjoying what he’s doing. I’m so glad people are warming to him and pre-judging [sic] before they know anything about him,’ wrote @carolineguy66.

‘He also looks like he’s having so much fun you can see it visibly on his face he wants to do well,’ chimed in @seonarenaiss.

Meanwhile, @samanthadouglass also enthused that it was ‘a joy to see him blooming in happiness’ as someone learning to dance from scratch and @nicolachinnock, who noted his stint on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins too, teased: ‘I think Mr Pete Wicks is on his way to becoming a national treasure imo.’

He was also highly praised by the judges with Shirley Ballas calling Pete an ‘unrecognisable man from the launch show’.

The couple earned their highest mark so far for the dance (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC)

‘I love it that you don’t take yourself too seriously but yet you take the dance very seriously. You take risks,’ she added.

Anton Du Beke also said he no long felt nervous watching Pete and Jowita performed, as he marvelled at the ‘changed man’ before him, who was ‘improving enormously’.

Craig came in with his trademark criticism to comment on Pete’s ‘lack of bounce’ and him being ‘a bit uncoordinated at times’ – when he tripped up Jowita with his leg – but nonetheless branded it the podcaster’s ‘personal best’.

Pete was called ‘a breath of fresh air’ for not taking himself too seriously (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC)

Jowita, 30, and Pete have also set tongues wagging thanks to their close relationship, with some fans convinced the pair are enjoying the early stages of a romance.

The Polish dancer shared some sweet photos of them together on her Instagram this week, including a dog walk in matching cowboy hats

The Mail on Sunday also claimed that their ‘relationship’ is an ‘open secret’ among cast and crew on the set of the hit BBC programme, after the duo hit it off following their pairing up for the competition.

An insider told the publication: ‘Pete has fallen head over heels for Jowita. He thinks she is amazing in every way.

Rumours of a romance between the two have also been swirling (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC)

As well as their remarked-upon chemistry on the dancefloor, Jowita has shared sweet photos of her and Pete hanging out together (Picture: Instagram/@jowitaprzystal)

‘The feeling is mutual from her side and things have definitely progressed between them. They are all over one another behind the scenes, in a way that a loved-up couple would be.’

It’s also said that their fellow contestants are ‘really happy’ for Pete and Jowita, who lifted the glitterball trophy with BBC journalist and wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin in 2022.

Neither of them have publicly addressed the speculation.

Metro has contacted reps for Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał for comment.

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