Pete Wicks has addressed the strain of romance rumours surrounding him and his Strictly Come Dancing partner Jowita Pryzstal as they prepare for the show's Blackpool spectacular.
The former TOWIE star, 36, and professional dancer Przystal, 30, have faced intense speculation about their relationship due to their passionate performances on the BBC show.
The revelations come as Wicks' rumoured girlfriend, Maura Higgins, readies herself for an appearance on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in Australia.
Speaking about the upcoming Blackpool performance, Wicks expressed his desire to honour his dance partner's dedication.
"It's a moment I really want to share with Jowita because she's done so much for me, and it means so much for her too," he told The Blackpool Gazette.
"I love that I have the opportunity to give that back and we have the chance to dance there together after everything we've been through," he added, acknowledging the challenges they've faced.
The pair have previously addressed the romance speculation during an appearance on ITV's This Morning.
"It's not a love bubble, unfortunately," Wicks clarified on the programme. "She's one of the most amazing people I've ever met, genuinely, not just in the dancing side of things but outside of that and I think that helps us with the whole dancing thing."
The duo have made concerted efforts to shut down any hint of a romantic connection between them.
Wick and Higgins reportedly enjoyed a final date night in London before her departure for the Australian jungle.
The couple were spotted at the London Palladium, with Higgins sporting a black velvet waistcoat and white ruffled skirt.
Speaking on the We Need To Talk podcast, Higgins revealed they had been friends since 2019 before their relationship evolved.
"We just get on very, very well. I adore him, he's an amazing person," she explained.
The dance duo are set to take to the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom this Saturday as Strictly celebrates its twentieth anniversary.
Wicks and Przystal will perform the Cha Cha Cha to I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred.
The performance holds special significance for the professional, as Wicks noted that her most inspiring Blackpool routine was with previous partner Hamza Yassin in 2022.
Several Strictly stars, including Tasha Ghouri and Montell Douglas, have already arrived in the seaside town ahead of the special show.
Other performances include Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell’s American Smooth, Douglas and Johannes Radebe’s Salsa and Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas’ Jive.
