Pete Wicks has built a career on confidence, charm, and quick wit — but this week, fans saw a side of him rarely shown: broken, vulnerable, and in tears.
In an emotional episode of his podcast Staying Relevant, the 37-year-old former TOWIE star was left speechless after his lifelong friend Vicky Pattison delivered a truth that cut deep — and may explain why love has never fully lasted in his life.
“You Don’t Believe You Deserve It”
As the two reflected on their friendship and Pete’s turbulent dating history, Vicky gently — but honestly — told him what she truly believes is holding him back.
“I don’t think you’re single because you’re not handsome. You’re successful, kind, and full of love,” she said.
“I think you’re single because deep down… you don’t believe you deserve real, unconditional love.”
Her voice cracked. Tears followed. And so did Pete’s.
Tearing up, she added: ‘I think that once you fix that mindset you will find someone great… sorry’
Fighting back tears, Pete asked: ‘Okay, tell me who you think my dream woman is’ as Vick listed off some qualities that he needs in a person
For a man known for emotional walls, the moment felt raw, unfiltered — and painfully human.
“I think once you fix that belief,” Vicky added through tears,
“you’ll finally find the love that’s meant for you.”
Pete Could Barely Speak
Fighting back emotion, Pete quietly asked:
“Then who do you think my dream woman actually is?”
Vicky didn’t describe a wild romance or chaos-filled passion. Instead, she described stability.
“You don’t need someone crazy,” she said.
“You need someone kind. Strong. Independent. With just enough edge to meet you where you are.”
Then she delivered the line that hit hardest:
“You would make the most incredible husband — to the right person.”
A Secret Love… Revealed by a Lie Detector
Just weeks earlier, Pete had taken part in a lie detector test on the same podcast. When asked if he was in love, he said no.
The machine said otherwise.
Moments later, he admitted the truth — he is in love with someone — a mystery woman he’s too afraid to name… and too unsure to believe would ever choose him.
“She hasn’t replied,” he muttered.
And in that quiet sentence, fans heard everything:
Hope. Fear. Doubt. And loneliness.
From Public Romance to Private Pain
Pete’s last highly public relationship with Maura Higgins ended amid rumours, heartbreak, and public scrutiny. Since then, he has kept his romantic life guarded — retreating into himself while the world speculated.
In October, Pete spotted getting cosy with Helena Ford as he and Sam hosted their Staying Relevant book launch
The event came just weeks after Pete reluctantly admitted that he is ‘in love’ with a new mystery woman six months on from his break-up from Maura Higgins
Pete and Maura were first linked in August last year, but the former couple went their separate ways in February, and Maura was later seen kissing McFly’s Danny Jones at the BRITs
Friends say he has “moved on.”
But this interview revealed something deeper:
He hasn’t moved on from believing he is worthy of lasting love.
A Man Learning to Love Himself — In Public
This episode wasn’t just a conversation.
It was a mirror.
A moment when a man who makes thousands laugh each week finally admitted — without saying it outright — that the hardest relationship he’s ever fought for is the one with himself.
And maybe, for the first time, he’s ready to start winning that fight.