Strictly Come Dancing contestant Pete Wicks has teased a ‘wild’ impact that competing on the new series of the BBC show has had on his lifestyle ahead of his next routine

Reality TV star Pete Wicks has teased the “wild” impact that Strictly Come Dancing’s had on his lifestyle.

Pete, 36, has been paired up with professional dancer Jowita Przystał, 30, for the latest series of the BBC show. The former the Only Way is Essex cast member took to the dancefloor with Jowita for their first routine together last weekend, having performed a paso doble to the Prodigy’s song Breathe.

They are due to perform an American smooth in the second live show over the weekend. It’s been announced that the upcoming routine will be set to the song I Had Some Help, released by Post Malone and featuring Morgan Wallen.

Ahead of the routine, Pete – who has prompted rumours that he could be “in love” with his dance partner -shared an update on the experience with his followers on his Instagram Story. The contestant – who has previously teased that he used to have a “party boy life” some years – shared his surprise to be in bed by 9.30pm on a Friday night now, with him getting some rest ahead of being in the TV studio on Saturday.

He wrote in a post on the platform on Friday night: “In bed by 9.30 on a Friday. Wild.” Pete accompanied the message to his fans in the evening with a melting face emoji. He had teased just hours earlier in a previous post on social media that there’s just “one more sleep” until his return to the dancefloor.

Pete Wicks has teased that he’s gone to bed earlier than usual amid his stint on Strictly Come Dancing ( 
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Pete (right) has been partnered with former winner Jowita Przystał (left) on the BBC show ( 
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Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
Pete and Jowita were on the lower end of the leaderboard following the first live show of the series. It was announced to fans that he had been paired up with Jowita the week prior in Strictly’s pre-recorded launch episode.

Following the launch, Pete and Jowita addressed being paired up for the contest. She wrote in a post at the time: “I’m gonna celebrate the 20th anniversary of [Strictly] with this superstar. I’m so excited to share that experience with you.” Pete teased in response in the comments section: “Couldn’t have asked for a better partner. I’m sorry in advance.”

Pete is Jowita’s third celebrity partner on Strictly following her debut on the BBC show in 2021. She didn’t have a partner during her first series but then won in 2022 with presenter Hamza Yassin, before being partnered with cyclist Jody Cundy last year.