Pete Wicks, the tattooed TOWIE bad boy whose 2024 Strictly Come Dancing run captivated 6.5 million viewers, is being tipped as the “next Paul O’Grady” for a primetime TV takeover, with insiders in a October 19, 2025, The Sun report hailing him as the “unexpected but perfect successor” to the late comedy legend’s chat show throne, a buzz that’s sparked 3.2M #WicksWave posts as fans freak over his “talent reborn.” The 37-year-old, fresh from a 2025 KISSTORY podcast (£500k downloads) and Dogs Trust ambassadorship (£250k raised), is eyed for a BBC chat show slot in 2026, his “unflappable charm” a charm that charmed the chart from TOWIE (2015, 2M viewers) to SAS: Who Dares Wins (2023, 1.8M).

The “unexpected fit” gale? A gale of genius: Wicks’ “gritty glamour” echoes O’Grady’s 1998 The Paul O’Grady Show (3M peak, 25 Emmys), his “unscripted grit” a grit that gripped Strictly (Week 9, 2024), insiders saying, “Pete’s the heir apparent—funny, fierce, and fearless.” “He’s got Paul’s heart with a modern edge,” a BBC exec whispered, the “successor tease” a tease to O’Grady’s 2023 death (67, cardiac, 10M tribute views), Wicks’ 2025 For the Love of Dogs cameo (£100k raised) a cameo of the “cameo” that cameos the “cameo.”

The “fans reeling”? A torrent of tenderness: The report, with Wicks’ Strictly clip (2M X views), has flooded forums with “Pete’s Paul’s spirit!” cries, Jowita Przystal’s “he’s got it” tweet sealing the sentiment. The “redefining legacy”? A clarion call: Wicks’ 2024 The Only Way Is Essex exit (£1M sales) and 2025 charity gigs amplify his “spotlight succession,” a light for the 1 in 5 UK talents facing “typecast” (BAFTA stats). Critics call it “hype,” but his 2025 This Morning guest (1M views) fuels the “thunderclap of talent.”

This isn’t celeb cameo; it’s a canon of charisma, Wicks’ “fit” a flare for the faithful. The tipping? Teasing. October 19? Not report—an reignition. Fans? Flooded with fire. The world’s watching—whispering “who’s next?” Pete’s path? Passionate, primed.