‘My dogs get priority in my bed over Megan’: TOWIE’s Pete Wicks talks dating Megan McKenna and his tattoo addiction
He worships his mum, nan and pet pooches. Why hardman hunk Pete is just a big softie
WITH his mahogany tan, super-styled hair and confident swagger, Pete Wicks is every inch an Essex man — all 5ft 10in of him.
He charms and flirts his way through his first Fabulous photo shoot and he plainly doesn’t have an issue with striding around the studio in a pair of very tight boxers.
But scratch a little deeper and Towie’s heavily tattooed hunk isn’t your average airhead reality TV star.
For a start, he prides himself on being an old-fashioned gent.
No lady will carry her own bag in his company (no wonder he’s got bulging biceps), and manners and politeness are a must.
He’s surprisingly short of arrogance, too — Pete, 27, still doesn’t class himself as a bona fide celeb, despite joining the ITVBe show last year, and is realistic about the clock that’s ticking on his fame.
He also worships the two most important women in his life — mum Tracey, 55, and grandma Doreen, 76. And whatever Mum and Nan Wicks say, goes.
“They are the bosses,” Pete proudly admits.
He’s now added a third special lady to his list, in the form of co-star and girlfriend Megan McKenna.
After making their relationship official in April, they’ve cemented themselves as the hottest reality couple around.
Despite frequently finding themselves miles apart due to their hectic schedules — Megan, 23, jetted off to Miami in April for work, while Pete had a lads’ holiday in Mexico with his pal James Lock — they’ve still managed to make things work.
But although he’s been happily documenting their romance through daily Snapchat selfies, Pete initially seems a little reluctant to speak candidly about their relationship.
“Is this interview going to be all about Megan?” he asks nervously.
Fortunately, he’s clearly head over heels and he soon relaxes enough to open up about his other half, as well as revealing how far his body ink addiction goes and why Megan has to play second fiddle to his beloved pet dogs at bedtime…
You’re all loved-up with Megan. How is the relationship going?
It’s great. We clicked straight away as we’re quite similar in lots of ways and how we think about things.
We’re both quite opinionated and fiery, but I tend to be more reserved when it comes to my opinions.
Megan’s got this stigma that she’s a bit nutty, but a lot of the time when she loses her temper, she’s actually right.
She just expresses herself in a way that people either love or hate.
Does Megan’s fiery side mean you have lots of rows?
We don’t row that much. There’s no need to be fiery if you’ve been treated well.
I’m not experienced in relationships — I’ve only had one other, which lasted eight months — but I think being a good boyfriend comes down to treating your missus with respect.
I don’t think she’s used to being treated the way I treat her.
Would you say that you’re a loyal boyfriend?
When you’re in a relationship, I don’t see the point of going elsewhere. That’s why I’ve not been in many relationships before now.
If someone grabs your attention, it doesn’t matter how many people want you, it’s about who you want.
Loyalty is the biggest thing for me and that’s why I’ve got it tattooed on the back of my neck.
If you haven’t got trust, you haven’t got anything.
Do you ever worry about the Towie curse wrecking your relationship?
A lot of the time on reality shows, people get together just because they work together.
Megan and I are different because we get along and it was a natural thing.
Regardless of what’s happened with other people’s relationships on the show, they’re not the same as mine.
Are there certain things that are off-limits for you to show on TV?
It’s kind of hypocritical for me to say, as I’m appearing on a reality show, but a private life is a happy life.
There are certain things that you don’t need to share with the entire world, like anything to do with our sex life or emotions.
You’ve both been jetting away to different countries for work recently. Do you keep the passion alive by sending sexy selfies to each other?
If you’ve got a good imagination, you don’t need a visual aid. There are different ways to keep the passion alive without sending pictures, but that’s between me and her.
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Would you say you’re quite vain?
Not really, I think people just assume that I am because I’m from Essex.
Though, obviously, I have weekly sunbeds. I also shave and I wash my hair once a week.
I’m tempted to get rid of my long hair because it’s a lot of work.
You’ve got an impressive collection of tattoos. How many do you have now?
I think I’ve got a bit of a problem because I don’t reckon I’ve got that many! I’ve got quite an addictive personality.
Because a lot of my tattoos on the top half of my body join up, I say I have one big one.
I’ve just started my leg tattoo and I’ve still got my bum cheeks free, so I’m going to be getting more — I’m starting to run out of space!
Do you plan on fully covering your body in tatts?
I’m going to leave some parts free. My mum hates tattoos, so I get told off.
She used to get quite upset about it, but now she’s given up.
I don’t think she expected her son to turn out with hair down to his armpits and tattoos everywhere.
Fortunately, she’s stuck with me.
Would you ever consider getting a tattoo of a girlfriend’s name?
No, but it’s not a commitment thing. I’ll probably get my wife’s name, as when you get married it’s for the rest of your life.
I would also get my kids’ names, as they won’t be going anywhere.
Do you have a favourite tattoo?
The one of my mum and nan’s names, as they’re the most important people to me. I’m really close with them.
I’ve also got Lost Soul tattooed on my knuckles, which is what my nan calls me.
It’s very cute that you’re so close to them…
There’s no one I admire more than my mum for what she’s done in my life.
My nan is my best friend and I speak to her about everything. She is my go-to person and tells me the truth regardless.
They’re probably the reason why I am the way I am, in terms of the way I treat Megan.
Despite your hard exterior, are you just a big softie?
Yes, I prefer animals to people because they’re more loyal. If you treat them well, they don’t judge you.
I have a pair of rescue French bulldogs called Eric and Ernest. I talk to them like they’re my kids — it’s embarrassing!
They also sleep in bed with me. The only opinions that matter to me are my nan’s and my dogs’.
So is not getting on with your nan and your dogs a deal-breaker?
Yeah. Fortunately Megan has done very well with both my nan and the dogs!
The dogs get priority in the bed though, as they are my children. But we’re very good at sharing, so it’s fine.