Pete Wicks admits he ‘never thought I’d be enough’ as he discusses his battle with mental health during candid chat about his new book
Pete Wicks admitted he thought he would ‘never be enough’ as he spoke about his struggles with his mental health.
The former TOWIE star, 36, revealed the name of his book Never Enough: My Words Unfiltered came from his first tattoo, because he thought ‘he would never be enough’.
On Tuesday night he took to the stage with Vicky Pattison for his In Conversation With event, where he thanked his fans for the “wonderful messages” he has received following the success of his new book, which has become a Sunday Times bestseller.
On stage, Pete said, “The first tattoo I ever got was Never Enough, because I never thought I’d be enough. That’s where the title comes from.”
Pete wanted the book to be ‘relatable’ to readers, adding: ‘I just want people to leave knowing that they are good enough.
Pete Wicks has admitted he thought he would ‘never be enough’ as he discussed his struggle with mental health
The former TOWIE star, 36, revealed the name of his book Never Enough: My Words Unfiltered came from his first tattoo, because he thought ‘he would never be enough’
‘Being able to explain how you really feel is hard and I think we all mislabel how we feel sometimes, but I want people to know that it’s okay to not always be okay. You just have to be willing to keep working!’
He was further praised by TV star Vicky, who said: “I always knew the misconceptions about you weren’t true. You may not know this but you were actually the first man in my life that I really respected. I could tell that you were raised to be strong women.”
The TOWIE star then revealed that the book was his ultimate gift to his beloved mother.
“The most important person for me when I was writing this book was my mother. There were things in there that I hadn’t even told her yet that were really healing for our relationship,” he said.
“There is no one I look up to more than her. Talking about the past with her is therapeutic. Losing my grandmother brought me and my mother closer together, but I wanted to write this book because I knew my grandmother would be proud that I had the balls to do it.”
He concluded with a heartfelt message to the audience: ‘I’ve always been a shoulder to cry on for other people, but you can’t really help anyone unless you help yourself first. The book gave me a chance to refresh and recharge.’
Pete recently insisted that Zara McDermott “loves Strictly” and will be his “biggest fan” if he enters competitions.
He signed up for Strictly Come Dancing just days after it emerged his girlfriend Zara, 27, had been physically and verbally abused by her professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima during last year’s series.
However, Pete insisted that it didn’t stop Zara from supporting him, telling MailOnline: ‘Zara loves the show and she’s a massive supporter, so she’ll probably be my biggest fan.’
He joined Vicky Pattison for his In Conversation With event on Tuesday night, where he thanked fans for the “amazing messages” he’s received following his new girlfriend’s success.
“The most important person for me when I was writing this book was my mother. There were things in there that I hadn’t even told her yet that were really healing for our relationship,” he said.
Pete recently insisted that Zara McDermott ‘loves Strictly’ and will be his ‘biggest fan’ if he joins
Pete signed up after it emerged his girlfriend Zara, 27, was physically and verbally abused by her professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima during last year’s series (Zara and Graziano pictured)
When it was suggested that Zara could teach him some dance moves, he joked: ‘My partner is going to teach me everything, so I can’t wait to get started.’
Pete previously said that Zara was the driving force behind his decision to sign up.
During an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine on Monday, he admitted: “Zara was the one who pushed me to do it, because she loves the show. I was very honest about the fact that I’d never seen it.
‘The first time I saw Strictly was last year on the first live show when Zara was on it and I just thought, wow, this is amazing – but I never thought I would do it. Sequins, all that stuff, it’s not necessarily my style.’
He added: ‘I’m terrified. I’m like a Ferrari on the bottom and a Volvo on the top. I’ve got the hips but nothing else.’
STRICT LINE-UP 2024
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Occupation: Comedian
Chris says, “If there’s anyone out there who’s thinking, ‘How on earth is he going to do that?’ – I’m sure I’m thinking exactly the same thing.”
Doctor Punam Krishan
Age: Unknown
Occupation: general practitioner and announcer
Punam says: ‘I’ve watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that this is the 20th year. I can’t believe I’m the one getting Strictly-fied.’
Toyah Willcox
Age: 66
Occupation: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and loving this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan, the glitter. It’s a milestone year for me, I came in as a pensioner, Glasto and now I’m getting spray tans.’
Peter Wicks
Age: 36
Occupation: Reality star
Pete says: ‘Dancing live for the people every Saturday? Really scary.’
Shayne Department
Age: 39
Occupation: Actor and singer
Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but Latin and Ballroom dancing in front of millions of people is a whole new level.’
Tom Dean
Age: 24
Occupation: Olympic medal-winning swimmer
Tom says: ‘Now I can officially say how excited I am to start something new, meet some brilliant people and go dancing’
Nick Kennes
Age: 61
Occupation: TV presenter
Nick says, ‘I’m going all in, I’m going for it 100 percent!’
Montell Douglas
Age: 38
Occupation: Former Team GB Olympian and current Gladiator
Montell says, “Hopefully some of my Gladiator moves will come in handy in the Tango or Paso Doble!”
JB Gill
Age: 37
Occupation: Singer
JB says, “A lot of the ballroom styles are very foreign to me — I didn’t do those dances growing up. I’m not a trained dancer.”
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Occupation: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says, “What I’m nervous about is the things that involve jumping. I don’t necessarily want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Occupation: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little. It’s a real Ghouri family favourite. So this is a dream come true.’
Sarah Hadland
Age: 53
Occupation: Actress
Sarah says: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of such an iconic show that’s been around for 20 years.’
Jamie Borthwick
Age: 30
Occupation: EastEnders star
Jamie says: ‘I had a great time doing the Christmas special so when I was asked to join in it was a no brainer!’
Sam Quek
Age: 35
Occupation: Former GB hockey player and presenter
Sam says: ‘I’m so relieved it’s out now, it was hard keeping it a secret! The rumours got out and I had to lie! I’m used to dancing on a girls night out but I’m going to give it my all’
Paul Merson
Age: 56
Occupation: Former footballer
Paul says: ‘I only worry about it when it starts, but once it happens I get nervous. After all, I’ve only danced three times in my life!’