Strictly’s Jowita Przystal opens up on Pete Wicks’ romance with Olivia Attwood & how new line-up can revive show

EXCITING times are ahead when a new era of Strictly begins later this year, says dancer Jowita Przystal. Fans feared the show would lose its sparkle after hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman quit at the end of the last series. Strictly’s Jowita Przystal can’t wait for the show’s revamped look Credit: BBC Jowita with her Strictly partner Pete Wicks and show host Tess Daly Credit: PA But when the hit BBC dance contest is back on our screens this autumn, former Big Brother host Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe, and pro dancer Johannes Radebe, will take over the reins, and Jowita believes it will give the show just the boost it needs. Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, Jowita said: “When I joined the show, it was always the same, Tess and Claudia, the same judges, la, la, la. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! “But now everything is changing. So for me, it feels exciting. It feels like, ‘OK, what’s going to happen?’ Like a new show.” While Jowita will be partnering another celebrity, not all of her friends will be around to see the changes as the professional dancer line-up has also undergone a big makeover. Earlier this year, it was revealed that Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas would not be returning for the 24th series. Of the shake-up, Polish Jowita, 31, said: “Changes are needed and I feel it’s going to be great. I’m looking forward to it. “I hope the viewers will feel the same way and I hope that we can deliver, like we deliver every year. “All we want to do is entertain and give people the best show ever.” Most read in TV Of the new hosts, she added: “I haven’t met Emma but I met Josh on the Christmas special in 2024. “Johannes is a close friend of mine so seeing him step into this role is incredible. I’m so proud of him. “I can’t wait because he deserves it so much. I’m so happy for him.” Jowita joined Strictly as a group dancer in 2021 and scooped the Glitterball trophy in her first celebrity pairing with TV wildlife presenter and cameraman Hamza Yassin the following year. Pete Wicks with girlfriend Olivia Attwood Credit: Getty New hosts Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe Credit: PA In 2024, she was rumoured to be dating her then-celebrity partner, reality star Pete Wicks, thanks to their sizzling dancefloor chemistry. Following their elimination after the semi-final, Pete admitted: “Jowita has made me feel alive. “She’s one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met and has made me believe in myself — and that means more to me than anything.” The pair then appeared to confirm their romance a year later when they shared a passionate kiss on stage at London’s O2 Arena during a live show for Pete’s Staying Relevant podcast with his pal Sam Thompson. But earlier this month, Pete, 37, confirmed his relationship with ex-Love Island star Olivia Attwood during a romantic getaway to Ibiza. The pair, who host Kiss FM show The Sunday Roast, together, were spotted kissing passionately and could not keep their hands off each other. Olivia, 35, and Pete’s romance grew soon after she confirmed her split from footballer Bradley Dack. The Sun on Sunday revealed that Olivia and Bradley had broken up in January and it quickly emerged that the pair had never legally married. When asked if she’s still in contact with Pete, Jowita said: “Yes, absolutely. Dancer Jowita enjoys a break in the sun before Strictly returns in September Credit: instagram Jowita’s kiss with Pete Wicks at the O2 “I’m rooting for Pete and Sam. I’m very proud of Pete and Sam’s podcast. This duo is just unbelievable. Whatever they do, I’m always supporting. “But also Pete’s podcast, Man Made, which is amazing. I listen all the time. He just did a live show which was amazing.” Pete also hosts Channel 4 series, Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake. Of the show, Jowita said: “The new season is coming up and I couldn’t be more proud of it. “Dogs Trust is so close to my heart so I’m genuinely the number one cheerleader.” Jowita remained tight-lipped about Pete’s romance with Olivia, but said: “I do know Liv. She’s an amazing woman. I love her to bits.” Asked about romance in her own life, Jowita said: “I’m not dating anyone. I am a free spirit. “I don’t really have the time — I am focused on my dancing career and I just want to do the best that I can at my job and my work. That’s what I’m focusing on right now.” Ahead of Strictly returning to our screens in September, Jowita has turned her attention to the next batch of celebrities. This year’s line-up includes Gavin & Stacey actress Melanie Walters, EastEnders star Lacey Turner, Big Brother host Will Best and singer Delta Goodrem. But it is Love Island star Cach Mercer who has caught the eye of Jowita, thanks to his experience as a professional hip-hop and Afrobeats dancer. “I can’t lie — he’s an amazing personality. I’ve seen some of his dancing videos,” she said. “I’d never seen him before but when he got announced, I did my research, as everyone probably did.” Cach won the ITV dating show with his then-girlfriend Toni Laites last year and scooped the £50,000 prize money. Asked if she saw Cach on Love Island, Jowita said: “No, I don’t watch it. To be honest, I just don’t watch TV, so it’s not like I don’t watch Love Island. “The only TV show I watch is The Traitors.” However, Jowita hinted that Cach could have what it takes to lift the Glitterball trophy. She said: “I’ve seen him dancing and I think he has great moves. “This can be translated to the Strictly world but it is completely different — it is not Latin and ballroom. “I’m excited for everyone who joins the show. I do believe Strictly is the best show ever.” Jowita spoke to us at the Silver Clef Awards at London’s Royal Albert Hall last week. The event, which raises money for the music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins, celebrates its 50th anniversary this month. Nordoff and Robbins uses music to help people with psychological, physical and developmental needs — and Jowita believes its work is vital. “I can’t even imagine my life without music,” she said. “That’s the most beautiful thing. I feel music connects people.” She added: “It confirms the power of art, music, and dancing — it is so valuable and so important in everyone’s life. “It makes you feel so grateful and so fortunate to have what you have. “But for the people who don’t have what you have, they have music — which connects us all. “Being here and hearing the stories . . . it made me feel very humbled and very emotional. Music connects people and brings us together.” Comment now