Channel 4 chiefs are reportedly "furious" with Pete Wicks over his forthcoming appearance on Strictly Come Dancing. The TOWIE star has joined the line-up for the upcoming season of the BBC One contest, which was announced last week.
However, by signing up for the show, the reality star has sparked a feud between the programme and SAS: Who Dares Wins. Pete filmed for the challenge show in New Zealand last year for the second time, after being forced to withdraw from the series the previous year due to broken ribs.
The show is scheduled to air in September, coinciding with Pete's Strictly debut. This marks the second time SAS: WDW has been overshadowed by a rival show, reports the Mirror.
In 2022, MP Matt Hancock jetted off to the I'm A Celebrity jungle, a year before his own stint on the Channel 4 series aired. "Channel 4 were fuming when Pete was revealed as part of this year's Strictly cast," an insider recently told The Sun.
"It's the second time they've been screwed over by another reality show."
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The source also revealed that bosses had gone to great lengths to ensure Pete had his chance in SAS: WDW, stating: "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."
"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", an insider revealed. The source added that producers are in a bind: "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."
The embattled show is set to mark its 20th anniversary later this year, despite a growing crisis involving its dancers, particularly Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, who have both been dropped from the programme.
Graziano has confessed to once kicking former dance partner Zara McDermott, while Giovanni has refuted all allegations of misconduct levelled against him. The Sicilian dancer has reportedly been the subject of complaints, notably from ex-dance partner Amanda Abbington, leading the BBC to initiate an internal investigation.
Another professional dancer has been identified as a "person of interest."
