EXCLUSIVE: Pete Wicks shares candid mental health admission and reveals only ‘safe’ place
Pete Wicks has revealed that he’s not afraid to lay his heart bare with his beloved dogs and feels the most secure when he’s out on his roaring motorbike
Pete Wicks has the closest friendship group – but it’s his dogs who see him open up the most. The businessman and TV star, 37, shot to fame on ITV’s The Only Way Is Essex and instantly became known for his no-nonsense persona and hard exterior.
But 11 years on, Pete has shown a softer side, exploring romantic connections on Celebs Go Dating and appearing on Strictly Come Dancing. One thing that has never changed is his love for dogs, with whom he feels most comfortable.
Earlier this year, Pete welcomed his new puppy, Rodney, into his home, completing his life with French bulldog Eric. Speaking to the Mirror, Pete said: “Dogs are better than people without a shadow of a doubt.”
He added: “My dogs know everything about me, they’re probably the only ones I open up to. Dogs and motorbikes are kind of meditation for me, it’s the only time I feel safe, content and happy is when I’m around dogs and animals in general.” The telly star says that the warmer weather approaching is the perfect opportunity to get out, walk your four-legged friends and meet new people.
“It’s one of the only real examples of unconditional love,” he said of his two dogs. Pete added: “Your dogs are always happy to see you, most people generally turn the other way when I walk into a room, unless there’s a dog, so they’re the best.”
He went on to say that dogs are better than people as they “live for the moment”. “When you’re having a bad day, there’s nothing like having a dog to kind of cheer you up. They completely understand; just because they can’t speak, doesn’t mean they don’t understand.”
And Pete takes his love for his dogs to another level, treating them like family. “We all have an area of the house that we prefer, or we like to chill out in,” he said of giving dogs their own space. He added: “People have bedrooms and whatever else, I’ve got two rescue dogs, both have their own issues, and they love having their own space that is dedicated to them, or their own little area.
“It gives them an opportunity to make the right choices, and when they’re feeling overwhelmed, or they’ve got so many feelings, they can take themselves off to their nook.” Pete, however, while he loves rescue dogs, admits he has “nothing against” people who buy puppies from ethical breeders or who do their own research into a breed before buying.
“There are so many dogs who need a second chance and so many wonderful dogs in shelters,” he said, adding: “First and foremost for me will always be rescue and it’s it’s amazing that we’ve seen kind of an increase in that but it’s not enough there are still so many dogs in rescue centres and shelters who who do need that little bit of love.”
Part of Pete’s reason to work with Channel 4 on his show, For Dogs’ Sake, was to educate people about rescue centres, which often house “all sorts of different kinds of dogs”. He added: “One thing is the same, regardless of how they look, they need a second chance.” Pete went on to say: “There are so many animals who get overlooked, especially now we have social media and there’s a lot of people who go for the aesthetic of a dog and that kind of upsets me because at the end of the day every dog is different, every dog has got a different personality and every dog as I say deserves to be loved and have a home.”
Acknowledging that there are often misconceptions about different breeds, Pete’s latest addition, Rodney, is a Rotweiler rescue from Dogs Trust. “He’s an absolutely beautiful dog,” he gushed over his four-legged friend before saying: “There is no such thing as a bad dog, as far as I’m concerned. It’s bad people who do bad things to dogs or encourage undesirable behaviours. With a kind of a set goal in mind. That’s kind of what ruins a dog. You can’t ruin a dog; they’re the best things ever invented.”
When it comes to redecorating or renovating his home, Pete considers whether the property is suitable for his furry friends. “You’re bringing another life into your home, and you’re responsible for that,” Pete commented, adding, “This is why Dulux is so good, there are pet-friendly paints which I didn’t know about, which is incredible. There are so many things in a home that could potentially harm an animal, but actually, Dulux taking that into consideration, I think, is wonderful.
“It’s about where your dog feels safe. Your dog should feel safe in every part of your home, but giving them a dedicated space is definitely the way forward. I’ve always done it with, and he’s the kind of dog that I’ve had. So really, your pet should be first and foremost when you’re looking to move in, just like any other family member, because they are family.”
Pete teamed up with Dulux for their Easycare paints to create a home which works for families. He said: “Dulux is a household name, and getting an opportunity to work with Rodney, potentially meet the Dulux dog, how could I resist it? But I am also a strong advocate for the idea that animals need a safe space. They need a space where they can kind of chill out when they’re at home.”
Despite Pete’s never-ending schedule, he admits he’s fortunate enough that his dogs often go to work with him. Laughing, he said, “They’re constantly going to photoshoots, they come everywhere, and it’s amazing getting to share those experiences. But there’s nothing better than coming home when it’s just the three of us, we chill out, watch a film or go for a walk, it’s amazing. I’m fortunate that my dogs come to a lot of places with me.”
Later this month, Pete’s podcast, Man Made, will hit the stage for the first time in front of a live audience. He says it will be an “interesting” night because of the podcast’s personal nature. “It seems quite daunting to do these things in front of so many people when it’s quite an intimate setting.
“We’ve got some great guests lined up, and it’s about starting conversations; it’s going to be a good night.” Speaking of the podcast, which centres around mental health, Pete added, “It’s about being relatable to people. We can all relate to different kinds of situations. It’s important for people not to feel alone and to be able to have those conversations, whether it’s with strangers, friends, family, or anyone – putting one foot in front of the other.
“There’s no cure for mental health. It’s just about ensuring you have more good days than bad days. And understanding when you feel in a certain way and understanding why you feel that way.”
11 years on from his first TV appearance, Pete never expected to still have the opportunities presented to him. “It was supposed to be a bit of fun at the beginning but 10 or 12 years later, I didn’t expect to be where I am now but things like Man Made and the Dog Show, where I’ve come away from the drama to actually be doing things that I genuinely have a passion for, I think it’s really important and that’s taken a lot of hard work and kicking down some doors along the way.
“I think it’s really important, you know, in terms of trying to do something and use the platform not to have to do things that are kind of beneficial and worthwhile.”
Dulux teams up with dog dad Pete Wicks to celebrate the rise of pet parenthood, as he creates a bespoke pet nook inspired by his dogs. To find out more about Dulux’s Easycare paints to create a home that works for your family, visit www.dulux.co.uk/en/pet-parenthood
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