Reality television personality Pete Wicks has shared shocking details of a serious accident on Christmas Day that left him knocked unconscious and confined to his home for a week.
A Festive Fall with Serious Consequences
The 37-year-old star, best known for The Only Way Is Essex and Strictly Come Dancing, recounted the incident on his popular Staying Relevant podcast with co-host Sam Thompson, 33. Wicks explained he suffered a heavy fall after consuming alcohol, which resulted in him smashing his head on a coffee table.
"I smashed my head on the coffee table, no, it gets worse," Wicks told listeners. He revealed he was knocked out cold and only came to when his dog, Eric, was licking his face. The situation was exacerbated by lit candles on the table, which caused a severe wax burn across his eyelid and under his eye while he was unconscious.
The injuries were so significant that he was forced to remain indoors from Christmas Day until New Year's Eve, due to pronounced facial swelling and discolouration.
Re-emergence of a Childhood Eye Condition
This alarming revelation follows concerning news about Wicks' eyesight, which he disclosed on the same podcast earlier in the year. The TV star explained that a childhood eye condition, for which he once wore an eyepatch, has begun to resurface.
He shared that his mother used to call him "Pirate Pete" due to the patch, which successfully corrected a lazy eye in his youth. However, he recently confirmed the issue is returning. "The bad eye is coming back as I'm getting older, it's going for a walk," he said humorously.
Wicks credited his friend and fellow TV personality, Olivia Attwood, for being the first to notice the problem's return. He has since booked an appointment with a specialist to explore options, which may include retraining the eye or undergoing surgery. He was quick to dismiss co-host Sam Thompson's joking suggestion that his eyeball might be removed.
Recovery and Ongoing Health Concerns
The combination of the traumatic Christmas accident and the returning eye issue has presented a double health blow for Wicks. The physical recovery from the fall, involving burns and impact wounds, required a week of seclusion.
Now, facing the prospect of medical intervention for his eye, Wicks is navigating a period of significant health anxiety. His candid discussion on the podcast highlights the personal challenges faced by public figures, often away from the glare of reality TV cameras.
Fans of the star will be hoping for a full recovery from his festive injuries and a positive outcome from his upcoming specialist consultation regarding his vision.
