Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal© Instagram

Strictly's Jowita Przystał reacts to Pete Wicks 'disqualification' remark

The Strictly couple danced the Rumba to Don't Look Back In Anger by Oasis

Deputy Online Editor
October 21, 2024

Strictly Come Dancing is no stranger to drama, but on Saturday, all eyes were on Jowita Przystał and Pete Wicks following their sizzling Rumba

The pair looked disheartened after judge Craig Revel Horwood suggested they should have been disqualified for incorporating an "illegal" lift into their routine. 

© BBC

Pete Wicks and Jowita danced the Rumba to Don't Look Back In Anger by Oasis

Taking to Instagram on Monday, the professional dancer was quick to heap praise on her dance partner as she thanked fans for keeping them in another week. 

She wrote: "Thank you!!!! Thank you for all the love we received after yesterday's performance! It was a very special night for us. Having both our mothers and my little brother in the audience meant the world [heart emoji]." 

Turning her attention towards Pete, the pro dancer added: "@p_wicks01 you’ve done everything what we worked on in the reh room but most importantly you trusted me fully, you completely let go and I must say I've got emotional after our performance. Wouldn't change a thing! It was perfect! 

"Another week of dancing with you and I cannot be more happier [heart emoji] Joker and Harley here we go! #thankyou #petejowita." 

During Week 5 of the competition, Pete, 36, and Jowita, 30, performed a daring Rumba routine to Don't Look Back In Anger by Oasis – and the dance left the audience gasping and the judges in awe - except for one. 

While Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas praised the couple for their energy and chemistry, Craig's critique came across a little strong when he accused the pair of breaking the rules. 

"As for the lifts, that is totally illegal. One foot should remain on the floor at times," he said in his feedback, adding: "Of course, it's up to the professional if they want to lose marks for that – and of course, you'll be marked down for that. 

© Instagram

Pete and Jowita are friends

"And I think even a disqualification, darling, but then I'm not the head judge so there you are. [But] I have an issue with that because I think you should follow the rules." 

Ending on a positive note, Craig continued: "That being said... I do like seeing how committed you are to this because I can see very clearly that you have been studying and studying and studying to make this good." The dance eventually saw them score 22 points.

Every Strictly Come Dancing winner so far

Rose and Giovanni lifted the Glitterball in 2021

  • 2004: Natisha Kaplinsky (partner Brendan Cole)
  • 2004: Jill Halfpenny (partner Darren Bennett) 
  • 2005: Darren Gough (partner Lilia Kopylova) 
  • 2006: Mark Ramprakash (partner Karen Hardy) 
  • 2007: Alesha Dixon (partner Matthew Cutler) 
  • 2008: Tom Chambers (partner Camilla Dallerup) 
  • 2009: Chris Hollins (partner Ola Jordan) 
  • 2010: Kara Tointon (partner Artem Chigvintsev) 
  • 2011: Harry Judd (partner Aliona Vilani)
  • 2012: Louis Smith (partner Flavia Cacace)
  • 2013: Abbey Clancy (partner Aljaž Škorjanec) 
  • 2014: Caroline Flack (partner Pasha Kovalev) 
  • 2015: Jay McGuiness (partner Aliona Vilani) 
  • 2016: Ore Oduba (partner Joanne Clifton) 
  • 2017: Joe McFadden (partner Katya Jones)
  • 2018: Stacey Dooley (partner Kevin Clifton)
  • 2019: Kelvin Fletcher (partner Oti Mabuse)
  • 2020: Bill Bailey (partner Oti Mabuse) 
  • 2021: Rose Ayling-Ellis (partner Giovanni Pernice) 
  • 2022: Hamza Yassin (partner Jowita Przystał)
  • 2023: Ellie Leach (partner Vito Coppola)

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