Channel 4 bosses are reportedly “furious” with Pete Wicks over his upcoming appearance on Strictly Come Dancing. The TOWIE star has joined the line-up for the upcoming season of the BBC One competition, which was announced last week.

However, the reality star’s participation in the show has sparked a dispute between the programme and SAS: Who Dares Wins. Pete filmed for the challenge show in New Zealand for the second time last year, after being forced to pull out of the series the year before due to broken ribs.

The show is scheduled to air in September, coinciding with Pete’s debut on Strictly. According to the Mirror, this is the second time SAS: WDW has been overshadowed by a rival show.

In 2022, MP Matt Hancock flew into the jungle of I’m a Celebrity, a year before his own appearance on the series aired on Channel 4. “Channel 4 were furious when it was announced that Pete was part of this year’s Strictly line-up,” an insider recently told The Sun. “It’s the second time they’ve been ripped off by another reality show.”

The source also revealed that bosses had gone to great lengths to ensure Pete got his chance on SAS: WDW, explaining: “After Pete was knocked unconscious and broke his ribs in the 2022 series, his return for trials was a big deal and it was the first time (former Special Forces chief instructor) Billy Billingham and the directors had allowed a celebrity to audition twice.”

“Bosses wanted his to be one of the main storylines of the show, a real redemption arc, but now they’ve been trumped by Strictly,” an insider revealed. The source added that producers are in a fix: “Any plans for interviews with Pete for SAS: WDW are being overtaken by Strictly and bosses are furious – but there’s nothing they can do about it.”

The controversial show is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary later this year, despite a growing crisis among the dancers, particularly Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, who have both been dropped from the programme.

Graziano has admitted to once kicking his former dance partner Zara McDermott, while Giovanni has denied all allegations of misconduct made against him. The Sicilian dancer has reportedly been the subject of complaints, particularly from former dance partner Amanda Abbington, prompting the BBC to launch an internal investigation.

Another professional dancer was identified as a “person of interest.”