Pete Wicks ‘has left TOWIE over issues with his castmates’

The ‘real’ reason Pete Wicks sensationally bowed out of TOWIE after seven years on the reality show has now been revealed.

The star, who was friends with James Lock before he made his first appearance on the show in 2015, reportedly did not gel with his castmates anymore, although he previously told his fans he was stepping away to focus on other television projects.

Speaking to the Sun, a source revealed: ‘Pete wasn’t getting on great with some members of the cast as he thought a lot of them were just fame-hungry and not very authentic, especially some of the newer members of the show.

‘By the same token, a lot of the cast felt like Pete acted as if he was over it and above the rest of them, so they were relieved when he announced he was leaving.’

Pete made his views about the cast clear in December on the Saving Grace podcast, saying: ‘I am exactly the same off camera to on camera. The majority of them are not. Because they are all fake f***s.’

He also said: ‘I don’t actually get on with all of the cast. Over the years a lot of people have refused to film with me.’

It comes after Pete’s exit was announced last month and he told his fanbase he was taking a step away from the ITVBe series to focus on new TV projects. 

Pete is looking to explore fresh opportunities away from the world of reality TV.

A source told MailOnline Pete’s departure has been a huge blow for ITVBe executives, who already suffered the loss of longstanding cast member Chloe, as well as her sisters Demi and Frankie, last year.

An insider revealed: ‘Pete is a hugely loved member of TOWIE both among viewers and the cast.

‘But it’s time for him to move on now, he’s slightly older than the rest of the cast, and he’s hoping to achieve more in his career after being on the show for such a long time.

‘It’s been a monumental stint and his storylines will go down in TOWIE history but for now he’s taking a step away.’

A second source added: ‘Pete will continue to cameo on TOWIE when it makes sense to appear alongside his friends, but he will no longer be a fully-fledged cast member.’

Feuds: Speaking to the Sun , a source revealed: ‘Pete wasn’t getting on great with some members of the cast as he thought a lot of them were just fame-hungry (pictured on the show)

MailOnline approached TOWIE and Pete’s spokesperson for comment at the time. 

Pete joined TOWIE in 2015 introduced as James Lock’s best pal and immediately set eyes on Jess Wright. 

He soon became a main character on the series, romancing the likes of The X Factor: Celebrity winner Megan, who he had a tempestuous relationship with. 

Their romance came to an explosive end when Megan discovered Pete had been sending explicit text messages to his ex-girlfriend Jacqui Ryland. 

He dated Miss Great Britain and co-star Shelby Tribble, who’s since had a baby with former TOWIE cast member Sam Mucklow. 

He later had a rocky relationship with Chloe, who was left brokenhearted when Pete wasn’t prepared to commit and it dramatically impacted their friendship. 

Pete joined TOWIE in 2015 introduced as James Lock’s best pal and immediately set eyes on Jess Wright (pictured in 2017)

Pete became known for his womanising ways, which in recent years has been captured on E4 series Celebs Go Dating. 

He most recently shared a ‘flirty friendship’ with co-star Ella, who’s 12 years his junior. 

The TV star is the latest in a long line of veterans that have left the show in recent years including Gemma Collins, Bobby Norris, James Argent, and Liam Gatsby. 

After meeting on Celebs Go Dating in 2018, Pete and Made In Chelsea’s Sam Thompson became close friends and have collaborated on many social media videos, as well as presenting Pete & Sam’s Reality News together on E4. 

The duo are also starting to record the second series of their podcast Staying Relevant this week.  

Last year, Pete was forced to quit Channel 4 show SAS: Who Dares Wins after he was challenged to jump out a helicopter into a lake but managed to knocked himself unconscious with his huge backpack.

He suffered from broken ribs and admitted the experience would ‘f***ing haunt him’ because he doesn’t usually ‘fail things.’ 

Drama: Pete had a rocky relationship with Chloe, who was left brokenhearted when he wasn’t prepared to commit and it dramatically impacted their friendship (pictured in 2017)