Strictly Come Dancing's Pete Wicks 'enraged' Jennifer Ellison's sons after brutal fight

Exclusive: Jennifer Ellison said that while she "wasn't bothered" about being hit by Strictly Come Dancing's Pete Wicks as part of a challenge, her three protective sons had a different reaction

Brookside star Jennifer Ellison has opened up about her sons' reactions to her televised scuffle with Pete Wicks on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. During the 2022 series, the instructors challenged Pete, 36, and Jennifer, 41, to fight, which he later expressed regret over.

The incident left both celebrities in tears, and Pete quickly offered an apology to Jennifer for hitting her. Reflecting on the intense moment, the actress admitted she wasn't personally affected by the altercation, but her boys, aged 14, 10, and nine, found it difficult to watch and expressed a desire to confront Pete.

The actress recounted: "He [Pete] did [get emotional], he was so upset, and gutted but it's what we had to do, so, I wasn't bothered at all. When the kids watched they were like, 'right where is he? I'm going to get him'," she added, laughing.

Jennifer has had nothing but nice words to say about Pete, who has returned for the latest series of the show. "He is literally one of the nicest people I've ever met in my life, if you're going to get punched by someone, make it Pete Wicks.

"He is such a lovely, lovely, guy, like literally one of the nicest people I've met in the industry. He's such a gorgeous guy," she continued. The actress also praised the show despite its harsh nature, calling it "the most rewarding" project she's been part of, reports the Liverpool Echo.

"It was so horrific at the time, I mean, I've never known a show to be so true and so full on, like 24/7.

"You don't sleep and it's just relentless and what you put your body through... but for me, that show was probably the most rewarding show I've ever done, because I was in a bit of a stalemate with myself, and I had let myself kind of go and didn't look after myself or go gym," she added.

Jennifer went on to say that being pushed out of her comfort zone helped her realise she still has a lot of stamina, leading her to pick up a healthy fitness routine once more. In her life away from the cameras, she runs a dance studio offering elite intense Dance and Musical Theatre training.

Nonetheless, she's eager to make a return to the acting scene in a "gritty" drama.

From December, Jennifer will be taking on the role of Poison Ivy in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Venue Cymru. For tickets and availability, see here.