Their steamy Strictly routines have led to weeks of romance rumours. But while Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal have done nothing to dampen the whispers after being pictured looking cosy backstage last week, insiders now reveal how Pete’s growing feelings for Jowita have forced him into making a tough decision over his relationship with love interest Maura Higgins.
In August, the TOWIE heartthrob, 35, and Love Island star, 33, were spotted snogging during a lunch date at London’s Soho Hotel, before Maura joined Pete on his podcast tour last month – wearing a t-shirt with a picture of them kissing alongside the slogan ‘We Can’t Be Friends’.
Now a source says, ‘Pete and Maura hadn't put labels on things but they were definitely spending time together before he started rehearsals.
‘He slowed things down between them when rehearsals got into full swing as his Strictly commitment had to come first – but Maura is no fool. She has eyes and ears and knows how these things work. For Pete the fire hasn’t gone out and he still feels hugely attracted to Maura, but friends can’t help but think he’s falling big time for Jowita. Maura would rather keep things straight. There are too many grey areas.’
Maura – who split with stuntman Bobby Holland after 10 months in March – is no stranger to Strictly romances, having dated former dancer Giovanni Pernice in 2021, before he was said to have moved on with fellow dancer Jowita the following year. Maura was said to have been ‘blind-sided’ by their break-up, which is rumoured to have been down to Giovanni’s reluctance to settle down.
Meanwhile, Celebs Go Dating star Pete – who has dated a string of famous faces including Jess Wright, Chloe Sims and Megan McKenna - said last month, ‘I’m nearly 36. I want to get married and have kids.’
And now the source says Jowita, 30, could be The One. ‘Pete has never been short of a lady or two. He's a ladies man, but he’s changed since meeting Jowita,’ the insider says.
‘Pete’s scared from previous failed relationships. Despite the Lothario exterior, Pete is really quite a sensitive guy - it's clear that Jowita has unlocked a part of Pete that he has been hiding away for some time.'
Rumours first began heating up after week three, when Jowita and Pete appeared to share a kiss during their cowboy routine.
The following week, Jowita also got tongues wagging when she suggested that Pete ‘should keep’ the leopard-skin loin-cloth he wore during their performance of George of the Jungle during Movie Week, before the pair were photographed seemingly kissing during rehearsals last week.
Now the source reveals, ‘A fellow Strictly contestant confided, “Put it this way… there’s chemistry and then there’s that chemistry” - the little touches and stolen glances.
‘Pete has gone from hating every step at the beginning of this competition to now being in love with dance. People are asking, “Is this Pete proclaiming his actual feelings for Jowita and hinting that he doesn't want their rehearsals to end?"'