Pete Wicks praised his professional partner, Jowita Przystal, when they left Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday, saying ‘this experience wouldn’t have been anything without her’

Strictly Come Dancing star, Pete Wicks, reckons Jowita Przystal will be his “friend for life” as he settled romance rumours surrounding the pair.

The TOWIE star, 36, left the competition on Sunday after exceeding everyone’s expectations and told Jowita, 30, the ‘experience wouldn’t have been anything without her’.

Taking to Instagram, shortly after the public vote, Pete posted: “This experience wouldn’t have been anything without Jowita. She believed in me since the first day and never stopped. She supported me, listened to me, made me laugh and cry but most of all she made me believe in myself when I didn’t think I could do it.

“We did everything our way, and for me that was the right way. I’m so sorry that I couldn’t get you to a final, I tried my best and you deserve to be there. The show may have ended for us but one thing won’t, you will always have a friend in me.”

Maura Higgins mum addresses Pete Wicks romance rumours

Pete Wicks praised his professional partner, Jowita Przystal, when they left Strictly Come Dancing ( 
Image:
PA)
 

The emotional tribute comes after weeks of swirling romance rumours surrounding the pair. Pete and Jowita have been sharing plenty of quality time together outside the Strictly rehearsal studios – and their cosy bond has set tongues wagging. In a recent Instagram post, Pete heaped praise on his dance partner, gushing: “I’ve been struggling to think of what to say and it’s not often I’m lost for words. I am so overwhelmed and blessed to have had your support over the past three months, I never expected it and I have never taken it for granted.”

Although some took his statement to be of a romantic nature, last month Pete shut down such rumours, telling Lorraine Kelly: “We’ve said from day one that we’re really good friends, but they just want to do what they want to do.”

He’s already rumoured to be on his way to Australia to see Maura ( 
Image:
ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Meanwhile, the reality star is said to be romancing Maura Higgins, who is currently in Australia for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! Countering Pete’s claims that he and Jowita were just friends, one of his pals has claimed that he has “put a stop” to his “romantic liaison” with the dancer in a bid to win Maura back. According to the Daily Mail., the former ring girl from Ireland has been casually dating the TOWIE star the past five months, and Pete is said to be “completely smitten

Maura did speak about “someone special” in the jungle and Pete is reportedly already on his way to Oz to see her. Of course, his best pal, Sam Thompson is also Down Under, hosting Unpacked, but fans believe the Strictly star can’t wait to catch up with his rumoured girlfriend.