Pete Wicks has introduced a new addition to his family, a four-month-old puppy named Rodney, months after the death of his beloved dog Peggy. The TOWIE star, 36, shared the news on Instagram, posting a photo of Rodney alongside his other dog Eric.
In his post, Wicks thanked Dogs Trust and Dogs Trust West London for facilitating the adoption, emphasising the importance of rehoming rather than buying pets. He wrote: 'Everyone meet 4 month old Rodney. Eric’s new little brother.'
Wicks also addressed the loss of Peggy, which he said 'broke my heart'. He explained that getting another dog was not about replacing her, but about opening his heart and home to another dog in need. 'Getting another dog isn’t about trying to replace who I’ve lost,' he said. 'It’s about being able to open my heart, home and provide a safe place and love for another dog who needs it.'
The post was met with an outpouring of support from fans and celebrities, including JB Gill, Sam Thompson, Ruth Langsford and Vicky Pattison. Wicks has long been an advocate for dog adoption, launching his own animal welfare platform, Pete Wicks For Dog’s Sake, and fronting a TV series of the same name on U since 2024.
Dogs Trust reported that the launch of series two prompted a 20% increase in dog adoptions and a 25% boost in donations. Wicks, an ambassador for the charity, said: 'Rescue dogs often have an ability to love despite being treated terribly – that is such an emotional, yet wonderful thing. If more people could be like dogs, I think we'd live in a better world.'
