BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Pete Wicks says what emotional dance 'wasn't about' after 'sympathy' backlash

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Pete Wicks has spoken out about his emotional performance on Strictly Come Dancing which left him fighting back tears as he received his comments and scores from the judges.

It was a poignant night for the reality star and podcast host in the ballroom as week eight of the BBC One dance contest arrived on Saturday night (November 9) as he used the couple's choice performance with Jowita Przystal to pay tribute to his late beloved nan, Doreen.

Pete said in a video clip ahead of the performance that the dance, to The Best by Nicotine Dolls, was a "tribute to a person that mattered to me more than anyone" following Doreen's heartbreaking death in 2022. READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans demand Shirley Ballas change after dance-off horror for Shayne Ward Pete and Jowita went on to be praised for their "moving" couple’s choice dance performed in tribute to his late grandmother, with head judge Shirley Ballas saying the dance "was not only filled with beautiful movements" but also had "heart".

Anton Du Beke called the routine all "the greatest hits" of Pete and called the entire thing "beautiful" while Craig Revel Horwood said “besides all of the technical stuff, I thought it was absolutely moving and absolutely beautiful” before the pair were awarded 36 points out of a possible 40.