Spending a day with best friends Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks guarantees laughter, as evidenced during an exclusive photoshoot where their playful banter and genuine connection were on full display. From navigating the complexities of a photo shoot to supporting each other through personal struggles, this is a friendship built on authenticity, not showbiz pretence.
The Unbreakable Bond: Support Through Tough Times
Their dynamic provides the foundation for their successful brand, with both men offering very different but equally vital support. Pete Wicks, 37, admits to being a 'disappearer' when times get hard. "Like most people, I've made mistakes in my life and I've dealt with things my way for a very long time," he explains. "The difference is now, I've got Sam in the background, pecking at my head nonstop, so I know he's there if I ever need him."
Sam, 33, describes his role as a "safety woodpecker," revealing he sends Pete Harry Potter quotes to cheer him up, a gesture Pete jokingly dismisses but deeply appreciates. Conversely, Sam's approach to hardship is to talk it out relentlessly. "When Sam's down, he'll call everyone in his phone book repeatedly," Pete says. "Specifically me. He'll call me relentlessly. I don't think he trusts his own decision-making, but actually, he knows the right answers."
From Podcast to Bestseller: Chart-Topping Success
It is these opposite personalities that have propelled their podcast, 'Staying Relevant', to a massive chart-topping success, recently reaching an incredible 10 million total downloads. The duo also performed a headline live show at the O2 Arena and have now released a book of the same name, perfectly capturing their easy, humorous rapport.
Sam, the former Made In Chelsea star, likens their dynamic to "Pete's the dad and I'm the drunk mum at a wedding, dancing to ABBA." He praises Pete's authenticity, calling him a "mouthpiece for everyone in the country." Pete, who first found fame on TOWIE, quickly deflects the praise, insisting, "We all know that's complete b******s. He's the nation's sweetheart and I'm just the hairy bloke in the background that calms him down."
Navigating Public Scrutiny and Private Lives
Despite the podcast's humorous and light-hearted nature, the pair are careful about how much of their personal lives they share, especially regarding romance. Both have been subject to dating rumours—Sam with model Talitha Balinska and Pete with his former Strictly Come Dancing partner Jowita Przystal—but they remain guarded.
They addressed recent speculation where Sam jokingly called Pete "sad, lonely and depressed" after a double date invite. "It's such a weird one, because on the pod, we are just two mates having a chat and sometimes you forget who's listening," Sam explained. Pete agreed, noting, "We don't consciously do anything, we are what we are... but things can become Chinese whispers, and that's the nature of the game."
Pete also set the record straight on 'that' kiss with Jowita Przystal during their O2 performance, explaining it was part of a promised dance routine they never got to perform in the Strictly final. "I promised her, one day we'd do it. And where better than the O2?"
When asked about the recent departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman from Strictly, Pete expressed his surprise and admiration for them. Sam was quick to suggest Pete, or even the pair of them, as replacements, but Pete humorously dismissed the idea: "I'm not ready to cut in a fringe... It would be the most chaotic thing in the world."
With their individual successes—Sam winning I'm A Celebrity in 2023 and Pete's show For Dogs' Sake being a hit—their partnership remains their strongest asset. "We're not just a double act," Sam concludes. "No matter what we do separately, we always come back together, with stories to tell, and that's what keeps it fresh." Pete wholeheartedly agrees, affirming that while they support each other's individual pursuits, "nothing is better than when we're together."
