BBC and Channel 4 bosses are reportedly in a ‘furious’ row over Pete Wicks as Strictly Come Dancing and SAS: Who Dares Wins are set to clash in TV schedules later this year.

The TOWIE star, 36, filmed for the challenge show in July 2023 in New Zealand, marking his second shot at the grueling SAS selection process after he broke his ribs and was forced to quit the show.

However, Channel 4’s production schedule means the series will not air until September, on the very same weekend that Pete begins his Strictly stint.

It is now the second time the television channel has been upstaged as in 2022, MP Matt Hancock appeared on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity before his endurance adventure was broadcast the following year.

The latest clash involving Pete has reportedly left Channel 4 executives fuming as their promotion plans for the upcoming SAS: Who Dares Wins are now in tatters.

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BBC and Channel 4 bosses are reportedly in a ‘furious’ row over Pete Wicks as Strictly Come Dancing and SAS: Who Dares Wins clash in TV schedules (Pete pictured in July)

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The TOWIE star, 36, filmed for the challenge show in July 2023 in New Zealand – his second shot at the gruelling SAS selection process after he broke his ribs and was forced to quit the show (pictured on the show in 2021)

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However, Channel 4’s production schedule means the series will not air until September, on the very same weekend that Pete begins his Strictly stint

A TV source told The Sun: ‘Channel 4 were fuming when Pete was revealed as part of this year’s Strictly cast.’

‘It’s the second time they’ve been screwed over by another reality show.’

‘After Pete was knocked unconscious and broke his ribs in 2022’s series, his return to try and pass selection was a big deal and the first time [ex-Special Forces lead instructor] Billy Billingham and the directing staff have allowed a celeb to try out twice.’

The source also added that bosses wanted Pete’s storyline to be one of the main storylines on the show, however, Strictly has beaten them to the punch.

MailOnline has contacted Channel 4’s representative for comment.

Pete’s place in the Strictly lineup was confirmed earlier this week and he will be the first ever TOWIE star to take part in the BBC talent show.

Revealing the news live on Kiss FM Pete claimed he’s feeling ‘excited and absolutely petrified’.

He said: ‘It’s a mixture of excited and absolutely petrified, it’s fear, you can see straight into my soul.’

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A TV source told The Sun: ‘Channel 4 were fuming when Pete was revealed as part of this year’s Strictly cast. It’s the second time they’ve been screwed over by another reality show’

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It is now the second time the television channel has been stiffed as in 2022, MP Matt Hancock appeared on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity before his endurance adventure was broadcast the following year (pictured on the show in 2022)

Pete also revealed his best pal Sam is over the moon for him and plans to be at the show every Saturday.

Speaking on their podcast Staying Relevant, Pete said: ‘Sam’s planned every Saturday he will be at the show, Sam is the one person who will be there every single Saturday.’

He then joked: ‘He’s making t-shirts, the guy really needs to get a life.’

Pete’s signing may come as a surprise to some viewers, given his friendship with Zara McDermott, 27, and her boyfriend Sam.

As it emerged earlier this year his close pal Zara was physically and verbally abused by her professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima, 30, last year.

Graziano was accused of ‘chasing’ after Zara while ‘screaming abuse,’ leaving her so frightened that she ‘locked herself in a toilet.’

He has since apologised for kicking his former partner, but said that other allegations do not align with ‘how he remembers it.’

According to the reports, shocking details alleged he ‘called her nasty names, asked if she had gained weight and was forceful’ leaving her ‘visibly demoralised’ and ‘in tears.’

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Pete signing up for Strictly Come Dancing may come as a surprise to some viewers, given his friendship with Zara McDermott, 27, and her boyfriend Sam (L-R Pete, Zara, Sam pictured in April)

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As it emerged earlier this year that his close pal Zara was physically and verbally abused by her professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima, 30, last year (pictured in 2023)

Zara herself previously claimed in a statement there had been ‘particular incidents inside the training room which were incredibly distressing.’

She did not report the incidents at the time as she was ‘scared’ of backlash, instead, it was junior production staff who came forward.

The insider added that Graziano would apologise each time and ‘promise to not do it again.’

Mark Borkowski, a spokesperson for Graziano, also told BBC News: ‘There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right. And he knows that. He knows he’s made a mistake. He apologised at the time.’

Referring to the media reports, Mark added: ‘But he doesn’t recognise some of the issues surrounding it. The descriptions of what is being commented online, and how he remembers it, are not aligned.’

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Source: New York Post