Former Strictly Come Dancing star Dan Walker has defended fellow 'worst dancer' Pete Wicks as he progresses to the semi finals of the show.

TOWIE star Pete, 36, has come under fire from some in recent weeks who have questioned him remaining in the competition when in their opinion other 'better' dancers have been sent home.

And on Monday evening, journalist Dan, 47, - who appeared on the show in 2021 - wrote on Instagram: 'As someone who has been 'the worst dancer left in the competition' can we just all decide to leave @p_wicks01 (and to some extent @chrismccauslandcomedy) alone?

'It's a TV show and he is only there because we, the viewers, want him there.

'Strictly has always been a mix of people who have dance experience and those who start from scratch and improve along the way.

'Pete is learning so much from @jowitaprzystal and deserves to be there just as much as anyone else. He is what the show is all about!

'Bin the bile and threats and enjoy the final 2 weeks of the biggest thing on the box.'

Dan took part in Strictly in 2021, dancing with pro Nadiya Bychkova. They lasted until week 11, coming fifth overall in the competition.

It comes as Strictly insiders have declared that underdog Pete could snatch the Glitterball Trophy, despite consistently landing on the bottom of the leaderboard.

The star and partner Jowita Przystał, 39, sailed through to the semi-finals on Sunday night, despite being the lowest scoring couple for the third week in a row.

While instead, Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe went up against Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec in the dance-off, with Montell and Johannes ultimately being given the boot.

The news that Pete had survived another day came as a massive shock for fans, who had predicted he would be the next one eliminated, with several infuriated viewers demanding he 'resigned' from the competition.

While even the reality star himself couldn't believe his luck following his less than polished Waltz to Somewhere from West Side Story. 

After learning he'd made it through, an emotional Pete choked back tears as he admitted: 'I am speechless every week, especially this week'. 

Acknowledging that the public had voted to save him, he joked: 'I think they might be playing a cruel joke on me' before gushing 'I couldn't be more grateful, I’m so humbled by it, honestly.'

But according to The Sun, there were many who weren't surprised to see Pete through to the semi-finals, and are even predicting he could go on to win the show.

The podcaster has allegedly received a surge of public support and the title of 'People's Champion', thanks to his charm and enthusiasm, rather than his dance skills.

A TV insider told the publication: 'It seems that when it comes to Pete, there’s been a surge in backing among the viewers at home who see him as a potential "People’s Champion".

'After years of complaining about people with dance experience excelling on Strictly, he is someone who’s obviously a complete amateur who’s thrown himself into the contest and embodies the spirit of the show. 

'They don’t seem to want perfection, they want contestants with real heart and perseverance.'

It came after fans were left furious by Sunday's results, as they questioned how Pete has managed to stay to he competition for so long, despite the other celebrities being noticeably better dancers.

Racing to social media, they fumed: 'Whoever is voting for Pete over Montell needs to take a long hard look in the mirror.'

'Pete is not on the level of any of them… not fair to have Montell & Tasha in the dance off! It should've been Pete going!'; 'Every dancer has improved. Some more than others. Pete should be out'.

'Pete's act is tired and tiresome. If he really wanted to be the humble bloke he pretends to be he should do the right thing and RESIGN'.

Pete's highest score of the series so far was 36 points during week eight, but since then he has consistently been the show's lowest-scoring contestant, with him getting a measly five from Craig Revel-Horwood on Saturday.