Sam Thompson opted to support his best friend Pete Wicks from home during the BBC launch night.
On Saturday (September 14) Strictly Come Dancing returned spectacularly for its 22nd season, introducing 15 new celebrities paired with their professional dance partners.
However, while Sam didn’t reveal why he missed the show, but was seen supporting Pete from the couch. On Instagram, Sam shared a video of himself watching the TOWIE star on TV while cosied up on the sofa with his girlfriend, Zara McDermott, in their living room.
This year, the podcast host was announced as one of the contestants, partnered with professional dancer Jowita Przystał. After being revealed in the line-up, Pete joked that he "told the costume team they can be as wild as they possibly want..."
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Adding: "It’s exciting, it’s obviously going to be a big year and it’s nice to be part of something so iconic."
Sam took the opportunity to tease the star about his flashy orange shirt and trousers. He also joked that his dancer partner Jowitz, might steal Pete as a new best friend. The clip ended with Sam announcing on his social media stories that he’ll be filming a podcast episode with the star next week.
Sam and Pete launched their podcast, Staying Relevant, in November 2022. The show quickly became popular due to its entertaining mix of humour and candid stories.
Meanwhile, Zara McDermott has also thrown support behind Pete on his Strictly journey. On her Instagram, she shared a snap of Pete and Jowita on the TV screen.
Sharing her support for the duo, Zara wrote: '@p_wicks01 & @jowitaprzystał what a pairing!!!”
It comes after Pete previously opened up about how she had been the driving force behind him deciding to sign up.
Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine recently, he admitted: “Zara was the one that kind of pushed me to do this because she loves the show. I was quite honest about the fact I had never actually seen it.
“The first time I saw Strictly was the first live show last year when Zara was on and I just thought wow, this is amazing - but I never imagined myself doing it. Sequins, all that stuff, is not necessarily my style.”
He added: “I am petrified. I'm like a Ferrari from the waist down and Volvo from the top half. I've got the hips but nothing else.”
