Reality TV personality Pete Wicks has shared shocking details of a serious accident on Christmas Day that left him knocked out and confined to his home for an entire week.
A Festive Fall with Serious Consequences
The 37-year-old, best known for The Only Way Is Essex and Strictly Come Dancing, recounted the incident on his Staying Relevant podcast with co-host Sam Thompson, 33. Wicks explained that after an alcohol-fuelled fall, he smashed his head on a coffee table and was rendered unconscious.
He described waking up to his dog Eric licking his face, only to discover he had suffered further injuries. Lit candles on the table had spilled hot wax across his eye and eyelid while he was out cold. "I had taken the skin off all my eyelid and under my eye," Wicks told listeners.
The injuries were severe enough that the TV star did not leave his house from Christmas Day until New Year's Eve. "My face was quite swollen and pink," he said, explaining his week of isolation while recovering.
Childhood Eye Condition Returns, Surgery a Possibility
This alarming revelation follows news Wicks shared last May about a separate health concern. He disclosed that a childhood eye condition has re-emerged, which could ultimately force him to undergo surgery.
On the podcast, Wicks told Sam Thompson that he had a lazy eye as a child, corrected by wearing an eyepatch—a treatment that earned him the nickname "Pirate Pete" from his mother. He confirmed the issue is returning as he gets older, joking that his "bad eye is going for a walk."
His friend, Olivia Attwood, recently noticed the condition's return and urged him to seek medical advice. Wicks has since booked an appointment with a specialist. "I have to go and see an eye specialist to see whether or not we can re-train it or whether I am going to have some kind of surgery," he stated, quickly clarifying to a misunderstanding Thompson that the eyeball would not be removed.
Recovery and Reflection
The combination of the traumatic Christmas accident and the resurgence of his eye problem has marked a challenging period for the star. The fall served as a stark reminder of how quickly a celebration can turn dangerous.
Wicks's candid discussion on the podcast highlights the physical and social impact of his injuries, from the painful burns to being housebound during the festive period. His openness about the potential need for eye surgery further adds to a narrative of confronting personal health struggles in the public eye.
