By Katie-Ann Gupwell
Sometimes people are facing hurdles we don’t realise, and Pete Wicks has shared a poignant revelation about his battle with loneliness on his Man Made podcast, detailing one of the darkest times in his life. The ex-Strictly Come Dancing celeb and reality TV star got real about his emotions following the loss of his grandmother, confessing that her passing profoundly altered his life.
During this difficult period, he expressed he’d “never been so lonely” as he grappled with the grief of losing his “best friend.” In an emotional snippet posted to Instagram, Pete disclosed: “I was really blessed and lucky to have had my nan for such a long time, and I’ve never felt so lonely and lost after she was gone, and I think that was the point where I thought f***, because she was always my safety net.
“I was fortunate enough to have someone there who was a safety net to me and it wasn’t until, you know, I hit 35-years-old that I thought f***. I used to speak to her every day, she was my best friend.
“If I’d have got married while she was still here, she would have been my best man. Point blank.”
Warning: Please be advised that the video below may contain strong language
The former The Only Way Is Essex heartthrob mourned the loss of his cherished grandmother in 2022. Reflecting on his stint on Strictly in 2024, Pete admitted that his nan would have been overjoyed to watch him strut his stuff on the iconic Latin and ballroom dance show.
Pete’s beloved nan Doreen played a pivotal role in his upbringing in Harlow after his parents went their separate ways. She was a pillar of strength for him, especially as his mother grappled with mental health issues during his childhood.
While competing on the dance floor, he shared on the High Performance podcast: “She would have loved it. I don’t think she ever imagined that I’d be doing ballroom dancing on a Saturday night.
“Hopefully there’s one song that we might be doing which is very, very special to me at some point, if I’m in long enough, which is going to be a bit of a tribute to her.”
His candid revelations about their bond on Man Made touched many fans, prompting an outpouring of support and admiration for his openness about his personal struggles.
One fan empathised: “Listening to you talk about your nan is like listening to me talk about mine – mine was taken way too soon, but was blessed with her for 23 years of my life. Miss her every day.”
Another shared their own experience, writing: “As someone who has only one grandparent left (unfortunately she has dementia), I can really empathise your pain, Pete.”
A third related deeply, saying: “I know what you mean, I was the same with my mum, and completely lost since she’s passed.”
Meanwhile, another added their comforting words: “Your nan is looking down smiling at you @p_wicks01. This was like me and my mum.”
And yet another person reminisced: “Aww, every time you talk about her I miss my grandma Mary. She was my best friend. My second mum.”
If you ever feel lonely, or know someone who struggles with loneliness, contact Mind for help and support.