Pete Wicks and Sam Thompson have weighed-in on talk that they are poised to be the new Ant and Dec.
The bromance between Wicks, 36, and Thompson, 31, has gone from strength-to-strength since they first met when taking part in Celebs Go Dating back in 2019.
It has also proved very lucrative, spawning number one rated podcast, Staying Relevant, and now a sold out spin-off live show for which they are currently travelling up and down the country, including a stop at the London Palladium on April 15.
The popularity of the unlikely duo was bolstered further following Thompson’s triumphant stint in last year’s series of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity, where their friendship melted the nation’s hearts as Wicks flew out to Australia to support his pal as he was crowned King of the Jungle.
There’s no denying that as a duo, the two are not only relevant, they’re hot property with offers of TV, public appearances and more flooding in.
Speaking to The Standard from their tour bus, Wicks said: “Meeting on Celebs Go Dating was probably one of the best and worst things that has ever happened to me.
“I gained a brother that I didn’t want and now I’m stuck with him.
“Sam would love us to be the next Ant and Dec and he thinks we’re on track to do that, but I think we’re nothing like Ant and Dec because they have talent and that’s the main thing!
“Also, they’re not going anywhere soon are they, lets be honest. They both still look younger than we do.
“I imagine we’ll still be celebrating Ant and Dec winning their 55th presenter of the year awards over the next f***ing 20 years or whatever. I don’t think Sam and I have got a look in.
“We originally planned for four live dates as we were not sure how many people would want to come and see us and those dates sold in two minutes so we added another five and I think we sold those out in 18 minutes, which is so overwhelming because I’ve got no idea why people would want to come and see us, but we’re so blessed and honoured,” the former TOWIE star continued.
“Between the two of us, we’ve done pretty much everything underneath the sun and now I think we’re just at different stages of our careers where it’s more about life skills and experiences so we’re learning new things. We’d never say no to anything, but it’s just about timing and where wewant to go. We’ve got a clearer direction of where we want to go now so I think we’re on the right path.
“This is just the beginning! God that so cliché, isn’t it.”
For his part, ex Made In Chelsea-turned-Hits Radio DJ Thompson adds: “To be able to work with your mate and just enjoy what you do, has been such an absolutely blessing. The more I can do stuff like this, the happier I’ll be; we’re incredibly lucky.”
Reflecting on how life has changed since winning I’m A Celeb, he said: “Every day has been a smile on your face kind of day from being on This Morning to our podcast being number one in the country for quite a long time to the sell out tour to Soccer Aid, every single day has literally been a new awesome experience.”
For now however, he is ruling out returning to the Jungle for I’m A Celebrity: All Stars, explaining: “I don’t think I would. If I could do the entire jungle experience again I would go tomorrow. I got to meet my idols Ant and Dec – they say never meet your heroes, they are the nicest guys I’ve ever met and I’m so over the moon.
“You can never replicate the most amazing experience of your entire life and I don’t want to try and change it. I haven’t even watched it yet!”
