Strictly Come Dancing's Pete Wicks leaves fans divided with Freddie Mercury routine

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Pete Wicks performed a salsa to Queen's Another One Bites the Dust with his dance partner Jowita Przystał on the latest episode of the BBC show

Fans have addressed Pete Wicks' latest routine Strictly Come Dancing amid the judges commenting that he had made a couple of mistakes in the performance.

The reality TV star, 36, returned to the dancefloor with Jowita Przystał, 30, on Saturday night as part of the BBC show's Icons Week. Dressed as the late Freddie Mercury, Pete performed to a salsa to Queen's Another One Bites the Dust. He was heard apologising to his dance partner Jowita at the end of the routine, with her then reassuring him.

The routine was met with criticism from the judges, though they also praised Pete for continuing after apparent errors, and fans at home shared their thoughts on X, formerly known as Twitter. One fan wrote: "Not entirely sure where the salsa was in that but I'm loving the 'tache." Another said: "Lots of acrobatics from Jowita but no salsa from Pete unfortunately."

A third commented: "He's apologising. He knows it was s**t." Someone else wrote: "Well the actual salsa is bad but at least he looks good doing it." Another said: "Well I'm afraid all Pete did was stand and faff around with a bit of walking thrown in."

Others expressed sympathy for Pete, with one fan writing: "I felt like he never truly got out of the 2nd gear which that fumble didn't really help him and probably knocked his confidence." Alongside a crying emoji, one fan wrote: "Ohhhh Pete. He did a great job at being freddie tho."

Another said: "Think there was too many lifts in that Pete routine but he looked the part and put his all into it. Don't think he deserves to go home yet!" Someone wrote: "I'm gutted for Pete he may find himself in the dance off." Whilst one fan wrote: "Pete don’t be mad at yourself you did well, yes you did mistakes but you can fix them and get back on track next week."

During the feedback from the judges, Shirley Ballas told Pete that he made "quite a lot of mistakes" but shared that she was "impressed" with how he "picked it up". She said: "You carried on like a trooper. You did your lifts!"

Anton Du Beke described the lifts as "spectacular". Craig Revel Horwood said it lacked "fluidity" and that the "timing was out," but said he "loved" the lifts. "The characterisation was brilliant," he added. Motsi Mabuse said he did a "great job" on the lifts.

Later, whilst debriefing with Claudia Winkleman, Pete shared: "We've had a bit of a tough week. There's been injuries and all sorts this week but listen, we're still here, we got through it. What else can you do." Jowita described him as a "fighter" and said she was "proud" that he kept going in the dance.

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