BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Pete Wicks 'dead cert' to be booted out after backlash

Pete Wicks has been pegged as the likely candidate to be ousted from the show this weekend following a flurry of viewer complaints after the latest episode's results.

The former TOWIE personality who entered the BBC dance competition as a self-confessed non-dancer, has surprisingly avoided the dance-off twice despite finishing at the bottom of the leaderboard.

His survival, alongside professional partner Jowita Przystal, suggests a strong fan base, as they continue to advance while other pairs are eliminated.

During Strictly's Blackpool special, Pete and Jowita performed a cha cha cha to Right Said Fred's hit I'm Too Sexy, a song choice that Pete was initially reluctant about. Their performance was marred by errors, leaving them trailing with a score of 27 out of 40. Craig Revel Horwood awarded them only a 4.

Anticipating a spot in the dance-off after their score plummeted by nine points from the previous week, both were visibly stunned when host Tess Daly declared them safe.

Their unexpected progression, despite a lacklustre performance, sparked outrage among viewers, with many venting their frustration online, exclaiming: "Who the hell is voting for Pete?!"

Responding to the backlash from the Strictly result, online bookmakers Instant Casino are confident that Pete's journey will end this weekend. With only seven couples left vying for the Glitterball trophy and less than a month until the final, Pete and Jowita are the clear favourites to be eliminated next with odds of 5/6, reports Chronicle Live.

They lead Montell and Johannes, who are at 3/1 after finding themselves in the dance-off for the second time last weekend.

Lee Astley, spokesperson for Instant Casino, said: “Pete Wicks was fortunate not to find himself in the bottom two after scoring 27 points in last Saturday’s episode, but we reckon his good fortune will run out this weekend.

“Wicks is odds-on at 5/6 to be the ninth contestant eliminated from Strictly this year, ahead of Montell Douglas and JB Gill in the betting."

Following the backlash regarding Pete being saved from elimination he took to social media to tell fans he's "trying". Parts of his message read: "Humbled. Overwhelmed. Grateful.

"I’m well aware I’m not a good dancer, but I am trying. Every week @jowitaprzystal and I just want to make the most of what we can. We take it day by day, week by week. I know VERY little about dancing but what I have learnt is that it’s about letting go and throwing yourself at it no matter what level of skill/talent you may or may not have.

"I know I make mistakes, I know I don’t have rhythm and I’m wooden but I won’t stop trying. I’ve tried my best from day 1 and I’ll continue to try my best for as long as I’m allowed to be part of the show."

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Saturday at 7:05pm.