Chris McCausland and Pete Wicks told to ‘strictly stop’ after comment sparks fury

Strictly Come Dancing favorites Pete Wicks and Chris McCausland have hit back at a complaint made against them as they addressed the BBC dancing competition’s recent antics.

Pete Wicks and Chris McCausland have hit back at a complaint about comments made by Chris during an appearance on Strictly Come Dancing. In an episode of the Staying Relevant podcast, Pete invited his strict rival Chris to discuss everything from their experiences to the comedian’s AI phone.

In November, Chris told Claudia Winkleman that he thought musicals were “absolutely pointless” when asked what he thought about them as he progressed to the quarter-finals on the musical theme of the series. The comment appears to have sparked controversy as Pete revealed on the podcast that his management had received a complaint regarding Chris’ remark.

Pete said: “Every once in a while you come across people who aren’t happy and someone has emailed my management, unhappy with you and me, and I’m not even kidding.” He then read the email: “Hello, Pete. I really, really love musical theater and I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t love it, so how dare you criticize musicals in the show Strictly Results by supporting the horrible Chris McCausland and his comments.

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“‘They’re not useless; it’s a beautiful art form and musical theater artists work very hard for very little reward. The musical theater community will be very offended by Chris and Pete’s comments, as will me Chris and Pete should go. Thanks’. In a candid moment, Pete expressed that they would “piss off” the musical theater community, but then declared his affinity for musicals: “brilliant.”

He then praised those involved in musical theater: “Anyone who works in musicals or for musical theater, I think you’re wonderful and you do a great job. It’s 01, which is for me the voting number on Saturday. Chris’ rebuttal comes with a touch of humor: “I would like to say that if you’re not allowed to complain about things, whether you believe in them or not, then comedy wouldn’t exist, so have a life.”

Pete, unable to contain his laughter, withdrew his earlier sentiment, cheekily retorting, “Fuck you.” Chris, quietly, mentioned that he was “happy” to lose this vote. Pete later clarified that despite appearances, Strictly favorites don’t actually despise musicals; they just don’t suit their personal tastes.