Sam Thompson’s best friend Pete Wicks breaks his silence on affair claims with Zara McDermott
Pete Wicks has broken his silence after fans claimed there was 'something going on' between himself and Zara McDermott.
The former TOWIE star, 35, is spending time with Sam Thompson's girlfriend Zara, while Sam takes part in I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! but the couple has been plagued by rumors that their relationship is not purely platonic.
Sharing his feelings for Zara with new! magazine, Pete mused: 'I love Zara – she's a sweetheart,' adding that the Strictly star 'really misses' Sam.
He quickly denied rumors that the pair did anything untoward while Sam was in the Jungle, admitting: 'Zara and I think it's quite funny.
'That's the problem with social media, everyone has an opinion. Sam is my brother and Zara is a very good friend of mine. We just laugh about it.'
Pete Wicks has broken his silence after fans claimed 'something was going on' between himself and Zara McDermott
The former TOWIE star, 35, is spending time with Sam Thompson's girlfriend Zara, while Sam competes on I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Insisting he wouldn't date the Love Island star even though they were both single, he continued: 'I absolutely love Zara but she's not my cup of tea and I don't think she would last five minutes .
Me and Sam couldn't be more different. They are such a great couple and love them so much. It's just sad that people can't understand that girls and boys can be friends. It is ridiculous.'
Pete is currently waiting in Australia to greet Sam as he leaves I'm A Celeb and joked that he would give his friend a 'slap' rather than a hug when they are reunited on the Jungle Bridge.
Last month Zara revealed as Pete went instead of her, even though she was off due to her early exit from Strictly Come Dancing.
The influencer, 26, told Fleur East on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show: 'When I left Strictly I thought, “Should I pack my suitcase?” and he said, “Oh no, it's already arranged for Pete to come.”'
She continued, “When I suggested that maybe Pete and I could both go, he said, 'No, just Pete!' Maybe I can get Pete to take a cardboard cutout of me… But you know what's fine, absolutely fine.
'I have all the time in the world to live with him and see him. If he wants Pete at the end of that bridge, I respect and appreciate that. I can't wait to see that hug either!'
Zara was the first former Love Island star to compete on Strictly Come Dancing, and she was eliminated in week six.
Last month Zara revealed while Pete went to Australia instead of her, even though she was off due to her early exit from Strictly Come Dancing (pictured in the show)
Her early elimination meant she was effectively at a loose end. At the same time, Sam, who had gambled on her still being in the competition, headed to Australia for his own reality TV adventure.
Speaking to breakfast hosts Fleur East and James Barr, he said: 'When they asked me (me to go into the jungle) I thought, if Zara was still on Strictly I'd be a bad boyfriend if I went – but then I decided that I had done that to!'
This decision made him doubt whether he would even have a girlfriend at the end of the three-week competition.
He said: 'It turns out she taps out of Strictly as well as I tap in.
'But because I thought she'd still do it on Strictly, Pete (Wicks) is coming with me!' he admitted.
“I don't know if I'll end up having a girlfriend…”
Zara, Sam and Pete often work together to make funny videos and Pete insists his relationship with the Love Island star is purely platonic.