Sam Thompson heaps praise on Strictly's Pete Wicks in message sent from plane to I'm A Celeb

Reality star Sam Thompson sent best mate Pete Wicks a sweet message following Pete’s latest turn on the Strictly Come Dancing dance floor on Saturday 9 November. Sam was on board a plane flying to Australia, where he will be co-hosting the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here spin-off show Unpacked with Joel Dommett and Kemi Rodgers when he posted his support for Pete, who has had an emotional week preparing to dance in memory of his late grandmother.

Sam wrote: “Posting this from the sky but I managed to get a slither of WIFI. I think/hope you’ve seen tonight on strictly the kind of guy my best mate is. That dance meant everything to him your nan would be so proud mate and putting yourself out there like that takes so much guts. I am so proud of you sir, and if you want to see the measure of the man look at the next slide. Stressed and emotional about his dance but always there to help out my family whilst I’m away. For lack of a better term Pete…‘You’re simply the best’ - please get voting for Peter Johnathan Joseph wicks!!! The competition needs him to stay in!!”

Sam went on to share a photo of him and Pete together, followed by a screen shot of a message between the pair in which Pete wished him a safe trip and said: “Let me know when you land. Anything you need me to do while you’re away with your sister, mum, Zara or whatever just let me know and it’s done. Love you man… go smash the f***ing c*** out of Oz AGAIN.”

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Pete’s performance on Saturday’s Strictly was a tribute to his late nan, who died two years ago. He and professional partner Jowita Przystal danced a Couples’ Choice to the Tina Turner classic Simply The Best and in a clip before they performed he said: "I feel more pressure this week than any other. This is my way of her being part of that adventure."

After the emotional performance, which he did in bare feet, a visibly emotional Pete spoke to host Claudia Winkleman and said: "Been a tough week, but the one person I wish was here is my nan and she's not so it's the one way for her being here."

Pete also revealed he had not listened to the song all the way through since his nan Doreen’s funeral, which made the dance even more emotional. "This is going to be a tough one for me based on the fact that I’ve not heard the song all the way through, up until this week, since my nan’s funeral. My nan was my best mate, and we played this at her funeral because it was her favourite song."