Pete Wicks isn’t just a TV star and podcaster – he’s the ultimate dog dad and a champion for animal welfare. His passion for dogs shines through in everything he does. In this chat, he shares life with his beloved dogs, his adventures in animal advocacy, and why he’ll always choose animals over humans!
UKTV has commissioned the brand-new Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake for its entertainment channel U&W and the streaming service U. Produced by BBC Studios Entertainment, this docu-series follows Pete as he works with Dogs Trust to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome vulnerable dogs, proving he’s more than just a television personality.
Known for his role on The Only Way Is Essex, Pete also wowed audiences on the twenty-second series of Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with professional dancer Jowita Przystał.
With exclusive access to Dogs Trust, this series offers a unique look at the dogs that call it home. From rescue to rehabilitation, Pete plays an instrumental role in their journey to find forever homes.
This UKTV Original series provides a heartfelt glimpse into daily life at Dogs Trust, revealing the stories of each canine resident. Over one life-changing summer, Pete Wicks immerses himself in the emotional world of dog care at Basildon’s Dogs Trust rehoming center, showcasing his genuine love for dogs.
Pete caught up with K9 Magazine to talk about his dogs, work, and life.
Tell us all about all the dogs you've loved in your life. (this is your chance to tell us everything about your dogs, past or present. Names, ages, breeds - we want to know everything!)
I have 2 rescue dogs, Eric and Peggy (Peggy has 1-eye), both French Bulldogs.
I rescued Eric from Dogs Trust Basildon – coincidently the same rescue center that we filmed in Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake, so it’s a real full circle moment.
They’re amazing and have been by my side through the highs and lows. As most people know, I prefer dogs to humans.
My very first dog when I was a child, was a rescue dog called Arnie. He was my first best friend and I adored him. I’d also begged my Mum for a rescue dog for such a long time, and when I finally got him was just the best moment.
Before Eric and Peggy, I had another rescue Frenchie called Ernest [Eric and Ernie] who passed in 2016. I was devastated when he left us, he taught me unconditional love.
I’ve loved so many dogs throughout my life, I’m in a room and there’s a dog in there, you know immediately where I’ll be. You’ll find me with the dog.
During the filming process of Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake, it became a bit of a laugh with the crew, I wanted to take each dog/puppy home I met. If I could have, I would.
Importantly with this show, I hope more of the right people consider rescuing a dog – they can bring so much joy to your life. At the moment there is approx. 100,000 dogs need rescuing in the UK and only 1 in 5 dogs are rescued. We need to change these stats and hopefully, this documentary will be a step closer to this.
You're obviously a huge dog lover. How long have dogs been a major part of your life and how would you explain the importance of dogs to someone who hadn't ever experienced the joy of a canine/human relationship in their life?
It’s hard to put into words really.
Dogs are the best thing in my life by far. I’d much rather be around animals than people.
Their love is unconditional. They don’t judge you, they’re a consistent joy and have enhanced my life for the better.
Rescue dogs in particular can be so rewarding – the journeys they go on are often heart-breaking but so heart-warming.
As you’ll see in the documentary, I am unashamed to cry during the filming process, a lot.
What are your favorite things to do with your dog(s)?
I just love spending as much time with them as possible.
Whether that’s curled up on the sofa, or going for a walk.
As long as they’re happy I am happy.
Often sitting in silence, with Eric and Peggy feels perfect to me – that’s my happy place, and their happy place.
What advice would you give to the many people who wanted to follow your path in terms of career? What are the absolute best (and worst) things about your work?
You need to do things for the right reasons, if you’re genuinely interested in the entertainment industry then great, there are many routes in, and opportunities.
In terms of my work with animal charities and The Dog’s Trust – there are so many opportunities to volunteer and help out.
For over a decade I have volunteered in my spare time for numerous charities – of course, it’s rewarding but more importantly, they are desperate for help.
You’ll see in the series, the amazing team and volunteers who work tirelessly hard for the welfare of these wonderful dogs.
They are the real heroes in my eyes.
Here are our quick-fire questions, are you ready? Which do you prefer and why?
Big dogs or little dogs?
Both.
Calm, relaxed dogs or dogs who live at 100mph?
Both.
Dogs who do as they're asked most of the time or dogs who do pretty much whatever they like whenever they like?
Whatever makes them happy, but often routine and stability bring out happy dogs.
Dogs who love to walk by your side or dogs who like to race off and cover ten thousand yards in 3 seconds?
Both.
Days off or days at work?
Days with my dog.
The fastest route or the scenic route?
Scenic.
Nighttime or early morning?
Both - I'm an early bird and night owl.
Describe the last time you laughed out loud because of something you saw a dog do.
Probably Peggy and Eric playing, being silly. It’s the simple things in life!
What do you like to do in your downtime?
Genuinely my ‘down-time’ is always with animals.
I’m with Eric and Peggy, my happy place. If I’m not with them, the chances are I’ll be with animals in some way or another.
Let us in on a secret that very few people know about you.
I’m not sure if it’s a secret, but a few years ago I went on two big animal welfare rescues – one to a fur farm in Finland, and one shutting down a dog-meat farm in South Korea with the charity HSI.
Both were life-changing.
What is your current favorite…?
TV show?
Line of duty or peaky blinders.
Album?
Anything by Chris Stapleton.
Film?
American Gangsta.
Website?
Dogs Trust.
Animal charity(s)?
Dogs Trust, RSPCA, HSI, Dogs On The Streets.
If you had to choose just one, what product or service would you say has most changed your life do you think and why? (can be technology, beauty, food, pet-related, book - anything)
I can’t think of anything specifically but I do want to shout out the High Performance podcast.
I recently was interviewed there by Jake Humphrey who is an amazing guy and the conversation with him was powerful.
Tell us about some of the most memorable moments from your work.
In terms of my other work. I recently managed to get to the Strictly Come Dancing Semi-Finals – what an amazing experience.
I also have my own podcast ‘Staying Relevant’ with my best mate Sam Thompson which started out as a bit of fun and is now one of the UK’s top podcasts and live tours. We recently played a sell-out Palladium and was a real ‘pinch me’ moment.
Finish the following sentence, "Dogs are..."
Dogs are everything.
This is an opportunity to talk about any causes, projects, business ventures, etc that are important to you and you'd like us to tell our readers about.
I really want to encourage people to watch Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake, not for me but for the dogs, the team, and the volunteers at Dog’s Trust.
I genuinely believe this show can change the narrative of dog rescues, and show the real hidden heroes of this world.
The people who have devoted their lives to these wonderful animals, rehabilitate them and teach them to trust humans again.
It’s for them I made this series, what an honor.
Thanks, Pete!
