Pete Wicks has made the startling revelation that he was bombarded with death threats following his public split from TOWIE co-star Megan McKenna.
In a candid conversation with Celebs Go Dating’s expert Paul Brunson, the 37-year-old reflected on the tumultuous aftermath of the split in 2017. He explained: “It’s really hard when I look back on it to think about how bad it was because at the time you’re so caught up in it.
“I was getting death threats daily. I had people spit at me in the streets.”
Discussing the toll it took on him, Pete continued: “I felt like I was a national hate figure, like public enemy number one.”
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Despite enduring a barrage of harsh criticism, his primary concern remained with his ex-girlfriend: “All I was bothered about at the time was Megan, and the fact that I’d kind of lost Megan and that I’d upset her and I’d felt so guilty, so so guilty.”
Pete even disclosed that the animosity persisted up until his recent stint on Strictly Come Dancing last year, admitting: “I’ve just done Strictly, I was getting death threats through (my time on) Strictly for still being in the competition because there were better dancers leaving.
Pete with Megan McKenna in 2017
(Image: GETTY)
“And it does get to the point were yeah, of course, you’re putting yourself in the position for people to pass judgement, but I don’t think anyone really deserves death threats.”
Megan, now a mother and engaged to Scottish football player Oliver Burke, and Pete have both moved on since their split eight years ago. Although they parted ways just a couple of years earlier, the pair found themselves together again filming Celebs Go Dating in 2019, reports Lancs Live.
Pete’s romantic life has sparked curiosity recently, with reports suggesting he is involved with Maura Higgins, a former Love Island and I’m A Celebrity contestant, after a longstanding friendship.
Pete opened up about his connection with Maura during an appearance on the podcast, where he expressed: “Yeah, she’s a great person, so my relationship with her is that I think she’s a great person and I would hope that she thinks that I’m alright.”