Pete Wicks apologises to BBC Strictly’s Jowita Przystal as she narrowly misses ‘fearful’ head injury

Pete Wicks dances to Freddie Mercury on Strictly Come Dancing
BBC
Lauren Williams

By Lauren Williams


Published: 02/11/2024

- 19:17

Updated: 02/11/2024

- 21:09

The former reality star performed as Freddie Mercury for the show’s first-ever Icons Week

Strictly Come Dancing star Pete Wicks apologised to partner Jowita Przystal seconds after their Salsa to Another One Bites the Dust by Queen.

Tonight, the stars of the BBC dance competition made history by taking on their first-ever Icons Week, performing as some of the biggest music stars in history.


Wicks embodied the role of Queen singer Freddie Mercury tonight but was left less than impressed with his performance, and almost injuring Przystal.

The routine was full of fantastic lifts which involved Przystal throwing herself into many weird and wonderful positions.

However, at one point, as Wicks lifted her up and as she dived towards the floor for a headbanger, the professional arms banged the floor.

Wicks also made many mistakes throughout his performance, which left him to whisper “I’m sorry babes. I’m sorry, I’m so so sorry” as they embraced once their dance was done.

Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal

The couple performed the Salsa to Another One Bites the Dust

BBC

Speaking to the judges after the performance, head judge Shirley Ballas noted: “Thank you, Pete, what a way to open the show.

“You embraced the character of Freddie Mercury so so well. Listen to me, I am not really going to over-judge this and I will tell you why.

“You made quite a lot of mistakes so it wouldn’t be fair for me to go on, we all know you made mistakes we can see them.

“But what I was impressed with was how you picked it up. You got the wrong foot, the wrong way, but you picked it up, you carried on like a trooper, you did your lifts. May they vote for you because you were great.”

Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal

Their lift didn't seem to go quite to plan

BBC

Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse all agreed with Ballas’ points, however, Craig Revel Horwood couldn’t help himself and pointed out the mistakes.

He slammed: “What a terrible shame aye. Started going wrong with the forward and back basics. As soon as you actually started. It lacked rotation, it lacked fluidity.

“The timing was out and it was a little bit stumpy. But.... I did love the lifts, I thought the around the world lift was fantastic and you know what the characterisation was brilliant.”

Wicks and Przystal joined Claudia Winkleman in her Clauda-toriam where he admitted: “It was definitely an honour.

“I think it is an ironic song for me tonight, another one bites the dust, probably written in the stars init. But I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it.

“We have had a bit of a tough week, injuries and all sorts this week. But we are still here, we got through it. What else can you do.”

Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal

Pete admitted that it had been a tough week for the

BBC

Despite scoring their highest score last week, the couple only managed 22 out of a possible 40 this week.

Fans of the show were left worried for the Towie star and posted on their social media they were worried he had come to the end of his journey.

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