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Pete Wicks: I believe in fairytale romance, I just haven't met the right person yet

From Lime Pictures 

The Only Way Is Essex: SR28: Ep1 on ITVBe

Pictured: Chloe S has firmly called time on her relationship with Pete. However, it appears another familiar face in Essex has already got her sights set on Mr Wicks. Is this the start of a blossoming new relationship?

This photograph is (C) Lime Pictures and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk.  This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms

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Pete Wicks appears in The Only Way Is Essex (ITV)

The Only Way is Essex star Pete Wicks is known for his string of romantic relationships, but is pushing back against this reputation.

He has spoken about believing in — for better or for worse — fairytale endings, waiting to meet the right person, and being a great 'single dog dad'.

Talking to Kate Thornton on White Wine Question Time, the reality TV star, who has previously been linked to Megan McKenna and Chloe Sims, also said he loves dating because he loves meeting new people.

He said: "I've been single the majority my life I'm 32 now and I quite enjoy being single. I've got a lot of things that I would like to do in my life. I would love to get married and have kids and all that sort of stuff.

"I believe in soulmates, and I believe in the fairytale. But I also don't think it just happens. And I think I've just not met the right person yet.

WATCH: Pete Wicks says his bad reputation is often a case of mistaken identity

"Maybe the problem is I have this fairytale image of someone walking into my life and just instantly changing the way I am. I have this fairytale image of it, I'm expecting that but I do hope one day that will happen.

"And I'm more than happy for that to happen. I would love to have kids, I've got my two dogs. I'm absolutely obsessed with my dogs. It's not the same thing, but I'm a great single dog dad!

"Some people it happens for and some people it doesn't. Maybe that is something I need to change, that I have this fairytale image of what true love and finding a soul mate will be. Maybe that won't work out because that's wrong and it doesn't happen that way. Or maybe it does."

Listen to the full episode to hear Pete explain why he never watches reality TV, and how he only cares what his mum and his nan think of him

Asked by Thornton if there was ever a relationship where he felt like he had got close to finding the one before his television career, Wicks replied: "I was with someone for a little while. It wasn't even a long time. But she was amazing. Things didn't work out for different reasons. Through not really even any fault of either of ours. That was probably the closest that I've come.

"Everything happens for a reason. I've been looking at quote pages on instagram [like]: 'What's meant for you won't pass you by.'"

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25:   Megan McKenna, and Pete Wicks attend the National Television Awards at The O2 Arena on January 25, 2017 in London, England. .(Photo by Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images)
Megan McKenna, and Pete Wicks at the National Television Awards in 2017. (Photo by Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images)

He explained to Thornton that he hasn't been searching on social media for his past flames, because he doesn't think it would be a positive thing for him.

He said: "I think I'm a lot different to other people. As far as I'm concerned. Ignorance is bliss. Because I think it'd be worse for me if I find an Instagram and suddenly she's got two kids and a husband and living the best life and I'm just sat here pining...

"I just think it would it would confirm that that wasn't the person for me. And it would make me rethink things. And I think sometimes it's good to have an air of mystery!

"You know, it's not a bad thing not to know everything. Everyone wants to know everything all the time, like Sherlock Holmes and I've got to know this. Why? What difference is it going to make if you do know?"

From ITV Studios

Iain Stirling's CelebAbility: SR5: Ep3 on ITV2

Pictured: Pete Wicks.

This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk.  This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms

For further information please contact:
james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052
Pete Wicks on Iain Stirling's CelebAbility (ITV)

He told Thornton how much he loves dating and what he looks for in what Thornton termed 'a female opportunity'.

Wicks said: "I love meeting new people and — touch wood — I've never had a bad date. And that's purely because regardless of whether you fancy someone or you've got that kind of sexual connection or whatever else, you can still have a good time getting to know someone.

"And I love getting to know people regardless of whether it's something that's going to pursue or not, you can still have a great time because there is nothing more interested in finding out about other people.

"There's certain things in life that you can't teach, sex appeal is one of them. People have either got that or they haven't but what I consider sex appeal is very different to what you might consider, or what anyone else does.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07:  Pete Wicks and Chloe Sims seen on a night out at Amazonico restaurant in Mayfair on August 07, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Ricky Vigil/GC Images)
Pete Wicks and Chloe Sims seen on a night out in London in 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Ricky Vigil/GC Images)

"Someone for whatever reason you find sexy, you cannot teach that. People that try and be sexy make me want to die, you can't try. There's nothing worse than someone trying to be sexy!

"And that's not all down to aesthetics. That could be the way someone holds themselves, how tactile they are, eye contact, whatever it may be. And that's why I find it so important to meet as many people as you can. Because you never know until someone's in front of you.

"You can't judge based on a picture or even on a telephone conversation. You can judge whether you get on with someone or you can judge a picture obviously and think: 'You're attractive.' But have you got that that spark or whatever. And you need to be in front of someone to have that.

"I've made a fair few mistakes. But every mistake is a lesson isn't it? You would hope you learn from every mistake."

Read more: 'The Only Way Is Essex' bosses confirm cast cull

He also explained that he thinks his reputation is over-played by the media.

He said: "If I was as successful with women as what the press make out, then I would be like a modern day Hugh Hefner! But as it turns out, I'm not that successful in the slightest. I think they just decided that that's my role in life. That's all I'm good for."

WATCH: Pete Wicks on love, bromance, and fast fame