In the glittering yet cutthroat world of British reality TV, few stars have clawed their way to infamy quite like Pete Wicks. The tattooed heartthrob from The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) has built a career on brooding good looks, messy romances, and unapologetic bravado. But now, the 36-year-old podcaster and Strictly Come Dancing alum is facing a tidal wave of backlash after dropping a bombshell confession that’s left fans howling – and not in a good way. In a raw interview tied to his new UKTV documentary series Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake, Wicks declared, “It might sound harsh, but it’s true – I prefer dogs to people.” Cue the internet meltdown: social media exploded with accusations of misanthropy, with one viral tweet branding it “ridiculous” and “tone-deaf” amid a world already fractured by human strife.

The controversy ignited just days ago, as clips from the show – which premieres its second season on October 20, 2025, on U&W – began circulating. Wicks, a self-proclaimed “ultimate dog dad” to his rescued French Bulldogs, Eric and Peggy, gushed about his furry companions’ “unconditional love.” He elaborated in a Radio Times chat: “It’s the innocence, the way they live for the moment.

They don’t care what you look like or what’s happening in your life. If people could be more like dogs, the world would be a better place.” For Wicks, this isn’t just idle chit-chat; it’s a mantra born from personal transformation. Once the ultimate party boy – think endless nights in Essex clubs, high-profile flings with co-stars like Megan McKenna – his life flipped when he adopted Eric in 2017. “Dogs changed my party boy life completely,” he admitted in a 2021 Metro interview. They became his anchors during lockdown isolation and the emotional grind of Strictly‘s semi-finals last year, where partner Jowita Przystał helped him samba through personal demons.

But while Wicks sees his statement as a heartfelt ode to loyalty, detractors are barking up a different tree. Online forums and X (formerly Twitter) lit up with fury, with users decrying it as “elitist nonsense” from a privileged celeb. “Ridiculous! Tell that to the homeless or abuse survivors – dogs are great, but humans need love too,” fumed one commenter on a Daily Mail thread, echoing a sentiment that’s racked up thousands of likes.

Animal welfare advocates, ironically, are split: some hail Wicks as a hero for spotlighting the UK’s 100,000+ shelter dogs, where only one in five adoptions are rescues. His series dives deep into rehoming heartbreaks at Dogs Trust centers, from neglected mastiffs like Theo – a “goofy giant” handed a terminal diagnosis that left Wicks in tears on set – to feisty terriers clawing for second chances. “Filming was heartbreaking,” Wicks shared, wiping away tears in a promotional clip. “You see the sadness in their eyes after bad starts in life.”

Yet the backlash underscores a broader cultural clash. In an era of pet parenthood booming – Brits spent £8 billion on dogs in 2024 alone, per Statista – Wicks’ words tap into a divisive vein. Is elevating animals over humans a quirky quirk or a red flag? Psychologists like Dr. Elena Rossi, a London-based therapist, weigh in: “It’s common for pet owners to feel this way post-trauma; dogs offer judgment-free bonds. But publicly? It alienates.” Wicks, ever the Essex lad, isn’t backing down. On his Staying Relevant podcast with co-host Sam Thompson (another dog-obsessed reality vet), he doubled down: “People twist words. I love humans – just not the fake ones.” His recent romance rumors with Love Island‘s Maura Higgins, sparked by cozy Christmas pub pics, add fuel: Is this the gruff exterior hiding a softie, or a calculated PR ploy for his show?

As For Dogs’ Sake rolls out, expect more sniff tests. Wicks’ journey from TOWIE bad boy to canine crusader is compelling – he’s donated thousands to shelters and even voiced-over animated pups. But this slip has humanized (or dehumanized?) him in the worst way. Will the uproar boost ratings, or bite back? One thing’s clear: in Pete’s world, loyalty’s a four-legged affair, and humans might just be chasing their tails to catch up. With rehoming crises worsening amid the cost-of-living squeeze – larger breeds like Theo face euthanasia risks due to sky-high food bills – Wicks’ platform could save lives. Yet for now, the pack’s divided: Team Puppy or Team People? As Wicks quips in the trailer, “Dogs don’t judge.” Would that the Twitter mob felt the same.