It was supposed to be Christmas.
Instead, it became one of the most frightening moments of Pete Wicks’ life.
The TOWIE favourite has revealed the full, shocking truth behind a festive accident that spiralled into a nightmare — leaving him knocked unconscious, badly burned around his eyes, and unable to leave his home for an entire week.
Speaking candidly on the Staying Relevant Podcast with best friend Sam Thompson, Pete, 37, admitted that what began as a boozy Christmas Day quickly turned into a moment that could have ended far worse.
“It Gets Worse…”
Recounting the terrifying incident, Pete explained how he suddenly lost consciousness after smashing his head on a coffee table.
“I smashed my head on the coffee table — no, it gets worse,” he said bluntly.
The reality star revealed he was completely unconscious — and only came around thanks to his loyal dog, Eric.
“I woke up with Eric licking my face,” Pete told listeners. “I had candles on the coffee table… and I had wax burns all across my eye.”
What followed was even more disturbing.
“I’d taken the skin off my eyelid and under my eye,” he continued. “My face was swollen and pink. That was Christmas Day — and I didn’t leave the house until New Year’s Eve.”
For seven days, Pete stayed hidden away, recovering from injuries that left him shaken, bruised, and visibly hurt — both physically and emotionally.
A Chilling Reminder Of A Long-Running Health Fear
The accident struck a particularly raw nerve for Pete, who has previously spoken about ongoing eye and vision problems dating back to childhood.
On the podcast, he revealed he was once nicknamed “Pirate Pete” after having to wear an eye patch as a child to correct a lazy eye.
“My mum called me that when I was younger because my eye would drift when I got tired,” he explained.
As Sam laughed, Pete snapped back — half-joking, half-serious:
“Why are we laughing at my affliction?”
Now, years later, Pete admits the problem is returning.
“The bad eye is coming back as I’m getting older,” he said. “It’s going for a walk.”
Surgery Now On The Table
The Christmas fall has forced Pete to confront a reality he’d hoped to avoid.
He confirmed he’s now seeing a specialist to determine whether his eye can be retrained — or whether surgery is unavoidable.
“I’m not having it removed,” Pete joked, after Sam mockingly suggested they “get rid of the eyeball.”
The issue, Pete revealed, was first noticed by close friend Olivia Attwood, who raised concerns long before the Christmas accident.
“It was Liv that noticed it,” he admitted. “She mentioned it — and yeah… it is getting worse.”
Pete has since confirmed surgery is planned for later this year.
A Sobering Moment For Two Best Friends
The episode took on an even more emotional tone as Sam shared his own health battle, revealing he is preparing for surgery to remove a cyst from his vocal cords — a procedure that will leave him unable to speak for three days.
What began as a light-hearted festive anecdote quickly became something deeper: a reminder that behind the jokes, the podcasts, and the TV personas, real life can change in an instant.
“It Could Have Been So Much Worse”
Pete’s Christmas Day fall wasn’t just an accident — it was a wake-up call.
A split second. A slip. A candle burning too close.
And suddenly, one of reality TV’s toughest lads found himself unconscious, injured, and relying on his dog to wake him.
As fans react with shock and concern, one thing is clear: this wasn’t just a Christmas mishap — it was a moment that forced Pete Wicks to slow down, face his health fears, and acknowledge just how fragile everything can be.
And for many listening at home, it hit just as hard.
