It was the moment that sent social media into meltdown — and fuelled romance rumours that refused to fade.
Now, Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal have finally spoken candidly about their unforgettable performance at London’s O2 Arena, lifting the lid on what really happened during the dance many viewers were convinced ended with a kiss.
The rumours that never went away
Ever since Pete and Jowita were paired on Strictly Come Dancing, fans were quick to sense a connection. Their chemistry on the dancefloor was electric, their partnership intense — and even after the series ended, speculation followed them off the ballroom floor.
But it was their reunion at the O2 last year that truly reignited the frenzy.
During a live recording of Pete’s podcast Staying Relevant — hosted with best friend Sam Thompson — Pete and Jowita reunited on stage for a dramatic, cinematic routine. The performance ended with a close, lingering moment that many fans interpreted as a kiss.
Within minutes, clips flooded social media — and the verdict online was swift: this can’t just be acting.
“We were both petrified”
At the time, the pair brushed off the speculation, insisting it was all part of the performance. But now, speaking openly on Staying Relevant — with Sam absent while recovering from vocal surgery — Pete decided to ask the question fans had been desperate to hear answered.
Did the O2 dance go exactly to plan?
The answer was a resounding no.
“I was absolutely petrified,” Pete admitted. “That was probably the most scared I’ve ever been. I was more nervous about that dance than the rest of the entire show.”
As Jowita descended from above, suspended in the air and swinging towards him, everything relied on split-second timing.
“I went into full panic mode,” Pete said. “I genuinely thought I was going to mess it up.”
That’s when Jowita revealed something he hadn’t known.
“Do you want to know the truth about the O2?” she said. “I was panicking too.”
She explained that if she wasn’t positioned at exactly the right angle, Pete wouldn’t be able to catch her — and both of them could have fallen in front of thousands.
Pete was stunned.
“I didn’t know you were panicking,” he replied. “I’ve never seen you panic before.”
Why that dance mattered so much
Despite the fear, both agreed the O2 performance became one of the most meaningful moments of their lives.
For Jowita, it was career-defining.
“That was the best night of my life,” she said. “The most important — and the moment I’m most proud of as a dancer.”
Pete then revealed the emotional reason the routine carried so much weight. It was the dance they had planned to perform had they reached the Strictly final — a dream that never materialised.
“Strictly was amazing,” Pete explained. “But it was a competition. It was a job. The O2 wasn’t.”
He continued:
“I chose to do the O2. I chose to do it with you because you mean so much to me. You choreographed the whole thing believing we’d reach the final — and I didn’t get you there. So I wanted us to have that moment together.”
And the ‘kiss’?
While neither directly addressed the exact moment that sparked the most intense speculation, Pete and Jowita were clear on one thing: the entire routine was choreographed long in advance and always meant to be performed that way.
Still, fans remain divided.
Was it simply powerful storytelling on stage — or something more?
What is undeniable is this:
That O2 moment wasn’t just dramatic.
It was personal.
It was emotional.
And months later, it’s still a performance people can’t stop talking about.
