Pete Wicks has reportedly decided to take a break from ‘The Only Way is Essex’.
The 29-year-old reality TV star has told producers he doesn’t want to be involved in the new series of the ITVBe show because he wants to focus on his relationship with his new girlfriend Shelby Tribble, but he’ll make a return at some point in the future.
A source told The Sun Online: "Pete has decided it’s time to leave ‘TOWIE’ for now. He’s got a lot of close friends on it, and he’s in a really good place and enjoying himself and his new relationship with Shelby, but he needs some time out – he insists he will return at some point in the future though. He’s desperate to show everyone who he really is after a tumultuous year on the show after his split from Megan McKenna and fights with Gatsby – the only way is to move on and try new things."
Pete was left heartbroken last year when he watched his relationship with Megan McKenna crumble on screen and he doesn’t want the same to happen with Shelby.
The insider said: "Pete likes Shelby a lot, but he’s not going to stay just to have another relationship played out in front of cameras.
"If they’re meant to be they will work out with or without ‘TOWIE’."
But the heavily-inked hunk won’t be vanishing from television screens completely as he has reportedly signed up to Bear Grylls’ ‘Celebrity Island’ for charity later this year.
An insider explained: "’Celebrity Island’ is the complete opposite of ‘TOWIE’, it’s tough, it’s about survival, and it’s totally out of Pete’s comfort zone.
"He knows how hard it’ll be, but he’s completely up for the challenge and thinks it will be the perfect way to move on from what people think they know about him, and prove there’s a lot more to him than just what fans see on ‘TOWIE’."