Pete Wicks unrecognisable with skin head and no tattoos years before Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing star Pete Wicks looks totally different in a throwback photo of himself with a shaved head and no tattoos years before growing out his hair

Pete Wicks once rocked a very different look from his dark wavy locks and stubble.

The former TOWIE star, 36, is currently showing off his moves on the dancefloor as part of the 2024 series of Strictly Come Dancing. He has been partnered with professional dancer Jowita Przystał, with romance rumours already swirling between them. Pete is no stranger to a reality competition, however.

Over the years he has appeared on Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity MasterChef, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls. He has become known for his distinctive look - consisting of shoulder-length dark brown hair, beard and is covered in tattoos.

However, Pete hasn't always looked that way. Back in 2016, Pete shared a throwback photo of his old look as he is barely recognisable. The photo, posted on his Instagram account, showed Pete with an extremely short hairstyle alongside just one intricate tattoo across his chest.

Instagram

He captioned the snap: "Little #TBT to before the hair...must be 5/6 years ago! #Skinhead #TOWIE." Fans rushed to compliment the star as one said: "Looks good must say the long hair suits you but this makes your eyes pop." Another added: "Wow look at his eyes so sexy like the rest of him. A girl can dream xx."

Some even preferred his old look as one commented: "Actually prefer it! Lovely eyes. Long hair suites you but the shaved look is fab." Another fan shared: "Certainly prefer your hair like this.. your features show more and amazing xxx." Pete, who is said to be single, has been swept up in romance rumours with his Strictly partner Jowita.

However, he has also been seen cosying up with Love Island star Maura Higgins after his latest performance. The two reality TV favourites enjoyed a night out together just one month after they were spotted sharing an intimate kiss during a boozy lunch in London.

Pete appeared to kiss his Strictly Come Dancing partner during their latest performance on the BBC One show as things heated up on the famous dance floor. However, he then headed out on the town with Maura as onlookers claimed they looked like they were 'more than just friends'.

To confuse matters even more, Pete's best friend Sam Thompson recently claimed that Pete is "in love" with his Strictly partner, before quickly backtracking on his comment. Made in Chelsea cast member Sam has been supporting pal Pete, sitting in the audience for his first live performance last Saturday.

But when he was quizzed on Pete's chemistry with Jowita, Sam let slip that he thinks there's a connection between the two. Speaking to Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary on This Morning, Sam said: "I think they are in love," but he quickly added that he actually thinks their relationship is platonic. But digging a deeper hole, Sam said: "He cares about her so much, the way he looks at her, I've never seen it before. I just want to see him happy, he is one of the best people I know."

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