Pete Wicks, the long-haired lothario currently gracing our screens on Strictly, started his TV career on the ITV reality series “The Only Way Is Essex” (TOWIE).

He joined the show in 2015 and quickly became a fan favourite thanks to his charismatic personality, signature hairstyle and heavily tattooed appearance. Pete’s relationships on the show, particularly his high-profile romances with fellow cast members Megan McKenna and Shelby Tribble, often made headlines and contributed to the dramatic storylines.

Essex-born and bred, Pete is now cutting a rug on the Strictly dancefloor with professional dance partner Jowitz Pretzel. Originally from Harlow in Essex, the 36-year-old TV star has previously shared his love for his ‘quiet’ homelife with his two rescue French Bulldogs Peggy and Eric.

Tucked away in the heart of Essex, Harlow is often overlooked by, dare we say it, some of the county’s ‘prettier’ destinations. But the town has plenty of surprises up its sleeve which is why Pete and so many others, love living there.

A town of two halves, Harlow Old Town retains plenty of traditional character, with narrow streets lined with Georgian and Victorian homes and buildings.

Pete Wicks walking his dogs in Essex ( 
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Harlow New Town on the other hand, was established in the aftermath of World War II and designed as a modern urban development to alleviate housing shortages in London. The town was master-planned by Sir Frederick Gibberd, a visionary architect who created a layout emphasizing green spaces, modern infrastructure and community living.

Pete and his beloved pooches are believed to have spent time living on the sought-after Newhall Estate on the outskirts of Harlow.

The uber-modern development stands out for its innovative and design-led approach to housing, with contemporary architecture and stylish homes. Larger houses on the development can fetch as much as £850,000 which is way above the average house price for the area.

Harlow in Essex is a commuter town located an hour from London ( 
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According to ONS data, average property prices in Harlow were £603,000 for detached properties, £416,000 for semi-detached properties, £311,000 for terraced properties, and £184,000 for flats and maisonettes, in August 2024.

Tucked away from the concrete brutalism of the town centre, Harlow Town Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country with beautifully maintained gardens, a large lake and outdoor recreational areas.

Houses sell for up to £850,000 on the architect-designed Newhall Estate in Harlow ( 
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For something truly unique, the Harlow Sculpture Town offers over 100 public artworks nestled throughout the town, including pieces by Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth.

In fact, Harlow has a history of being a town that celebrates creativity, with The Harlow Playhouse regularly hosting theatre productions, live music and comedy shows. Local galleries also offer a chance to see work from emerging artists and local bands.

Harlow Town Park is a quiet oasis in the centre of the town ( 
Image:
Getty)Fun fact, Rupert Grint who played Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter films was also born in Harlow.

For history buffs, the town dates back as far as Roman times, with its heritage preserved in sites like The Hibberd Garden. The Harlow Museum is another great stop to discover more about the area’s fascinating history.

The Gibberd Gardens in Harlow ( 
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For the more adventurous visitor, Harlow offers a range of outdoor activities. The town recently secured £265,000 from Sport England to boost local physical activity programs, including Essex Pedal Power, a project providing free bikes to eligible residents

Whether you want to cycle through scenic routes or try your hand at one of the many sports facilities available including the giant Harlow Leisurezone

Smiths in Ongar is believed to be Pete’s favourite eatery ( 
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Pete’s favourite restaurant is just 15 minutes away in the town of Ongar according to Essex Live and the 2,400-hectare woodland at Epping Forest is also just a short drive away.

Fans can catch Pete strutting his stuff on Strictly Come Dancing on BBC 1 on Saturday and Sunday evenings, or watch on catchup on BBC iPlayer.