The former TOWIE bad boy, 37, addressed the ‘wild’ speculation head-on during a candid chat on his Staying Relevant podcast with best pal Sam Thompson, declaring: ‘I absolutely adore her’ – words that sent fans into a frenzy and left many wondering if there’s more to their close friendship than meets the eye.

The drama kicked off when viral images – apparently showing Jowita flashing a massive sparkler on her ring finger while posing with Pete – began circulating online, sparking frenzied claims the pair were secretly engaged! Fans zoomed in on every detail, convinced it was proof of a whirlwind romance that started behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing 2024, where Pete and Jowita were paired up as celebrity and pro.

But in a hilarious – yet telling – moment on the podcast (aired January 29, 2026), Sam confronted Pete directly: ‘Are you engaged to Jowita?’ Pete burst out laughing before jokingly playing along: ‘Yeah, we are engaged. Look. This has been doing the rounds for a while… But it looks so f**king real.’

He quickly set the record straight, blaming the whole thing on AI-generated fakes that have fooled even the sharpest eyes. ‘AI is absolutely wild,’ he said. ‘Obviously, Jowita and I are not engaged. She sent me this last week because it is going around everywhere.’

Then came the line that’s got everyone talking: ‘We are exceptionally good friends. I absolutely adore her. But we are not getting married. It’s absolutely wild. So, just to squash any rumours, we are not engaged. We are not dating – we really are not. She is my friend.’

Pete’s warm, affectionate tone when praising Jowita – calling her an ‘exceptionally good friend’ he ‘absolutely adores’ – has only added fuel to the speculation fire. Fans are dissecting every word: Is this classic denial to protect a budding romance? Or genuine platonic love between two people who bonded deeply during the intense Strictly experience?

The chemistry between Pete and Jowita was undeniable from the start. Viewers watched in awe as the pair delivered steamy routines – including a passionate Viennese Waltz to Frank Sinatra’s ‘That’s Life’ and an Argentine Tango that had jaws on the floor. Off the dancefloor, their backstage hugs, lingering glances and supportive vibes sparked instant ‘showmance’ whispers.

Things heated up further when they shared an onstage kiss (or three!) during one performance – a moment that left fans screaming and tabloids in meltdown. Jowita later brushed it off as ‘all part of the choreography’ in interviews, while Pete insisted it was professional. But the snaps of them locking lips sent speculation soaring.

Even after Pete’s exit from the competition (he made it to the semi-finals before bowing out), the rumours refused to die. A cosy photo posted by Jowita in September 2025 – showing the pair looking closer than ever – reignited everything. Then came those viral engagement pics (now confirmed as AI tricks), pushing Pete to finally speak out.

Social media exploded with reactions to his podcast comments. The Pete-and-Jowita shippers (affectionately dubbed ‘Prowita’ fans) were thrilled: ‘He ADORES her – that’s not just friend talk! Come on, make it official!’ one tweeted. Others pointed out the denial felt a tad too emphatic: ‘When celebs say “we’re really not dating” three times… you know what’s up 😂.’

Sceptics, meanwhile, praised Pete for shutting it down clearly: ‘Respect for being honest. Not every dance partnership turns into romance – let them be friends!’ Trolls dredged up Pete’s colourful dating history – from Maura Higgins rumours during Strictly prep to past TOWIE flings – questioning if he’s ready to settle.

Pete himself has hinted at wanting change. In recent interviews, he’s admitted 2026 could be ‘the year he settles down’ after years of playing the field. Could Jowita – the talented, down-to-earth Polish dancer who’s won hearts on Strictly since 2021 – be the one to tame the former reality star?

Jowita, 31, has stayed mostly quiet on the latest frenzy, focusing on her career. She recently attended glitzy events like the TV Choice Awards, where she teased her Strictly future is ‘up in the air’ but expressed hope to return. Sources say she’s ‘flattered’ by the attention but values her privacy after years of showmance rumours (she’s been paired with celebs who sparked gossip before).

Behind the scenes, insiders insist Pete and Jowita remain ‘very close pals.’ They bonded over the pressures of live TV, training grinds and dealing with online hate (including threats that left both shaken). Pete has publicly praised Jowita’s kindness and talent, while she called him ‘deeply caring’ and someone who ‘makes her heart melt’ in earlier tributes.

The Strictly curse (or blessing?) has struck many pairs before – from Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse to Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice – turning professional partnerships into real romances. Pete and Jowita’s story has all the ingredients: intense time together, undeniable spark, post-show hangouts. Yet Pete’s firm ‘we are not dating’ has fans split between believing him and hoping for a plot twist.

As the dust settles, one thing’s clear: Pete’s ‘I absolutely adore her’ comment has kept the conversation alive. Whether it’s genuine friendship or the start of something more, the pair have given us plenty to talk about.

For now, Pete continues building his empire – podcasts, books with Sam Thompson, reality TV cameos – while Jowita preps for whatever comes next in dance. But if those lingering glances and affectionate words are anything to go by, Strictly fans aren’t ready to close the book on Prowita just yet.

Watch this space – because in showbiz, friendships can turn into fairytales overnight!