TW: mentions of mental illness and suicide attempt
Discover our latest podcast
Childhood trauma can have long-lasting consequences on your adult life, whether you are a celebrity or a regular person. Reality TV star Pete Wicks has recently revealed the heartbreaking reason why he chose to quit two separate seasons of Celebrity SAS. Here's what he said.
Pete Wicks quit two reality TV shows
Pete Wicks has sadly had to quit Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins on two separate occasions, despite claiming training for Strictly Come Dancing was even harder on his health, both mental and physical.
In the show, celebrities go through a gruelling SAS winter warfare training in New Zealand. Pete Wicks quit the series after telling instructors he 'had nothing left'. He already had to leave the show back in 2022, when he knocked himself unconscious and broke one of his ribs during a challenge, which left him feeling 'truly gutted'.
The 36-year-old star spoke to TheSun about the ordeal, explaining what made his leave the show before he was done. Pete Wicks was asked to write a letter to his mother, and then he was supposed to read it aloud in front of the camera. This was a very difficult experience for the celeb, who almost lost his mother when he was just a child. He explained:
I decided that night that I was in too deep. I hadn't prepared for the reading out of the letters. I said things that I think I shouldn't have said because I wasn't saying it to the right person. I thought, 'I need to go and say what I've said in this letter to my mum'.
He saved his mother's life when he was twelve
The reality TV star explained having no regrets about leaving the show, as it was too hard for his mental health. He told TheSun:
For them, it's life and death. But it's a TV show, and I'd reached my limit on a TV show. I've got absolutely no regrets about it.
In his memoir, entitled Never Enough: My words unfiltered, Pete Wicks explained he had found his mother, Tracy, in the kitchen covered in blood, holding a knife in her hand, when he was twelve-years-old. She had attempted to take her own life. He recalled how terrified he felt, and how he called his grandmother Doreen for help, as well as dialing 999. While he waited for the medics to come, the young boy tried to stop the blood flow, and keep his mother conscious. He wrote:
I grabbed towels to try to stop the bleeding. I poured the wine down the sink. It's hard to pinpoint how I felt in that moment, because I think it was just pure shock. I didn't cry – I just went into crisis mode.
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, do not hesitate to contact the Samaritans helpline at 116 123, or call 999.
Read more:
Two celebs drop out of SAS: Who Dares Wins in two days
Sources used:
The Sun: WICKS' AGONY Heartbreaking real reason Pete Wicks QUITS SAS: WDW revealed as he throws in the towel for the second time
Daily Mail: Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins contestant Pete Wicks reveals devastating reason he REALLY quit the show for a second time - after claiming Strictly training was tougher
