SA.Pete Wicks dubbed ‘the new Paul O’Grady’ as viewers cry over tragic rescue scenes – Pete Wicks proves real love doesn’t need words, just one slobbery kiss and a dog who finally finds home
Pete Wicks has officially stepped into Paul O’Grady’s beloved shoes — and, just like the late legend, he’s proving that his heart belongs to man’s best friend.
In the heartwarming return of For Dog’s Sake on U&W, the former TOWIE star was back among wagging tails, slobbery kisses, and stories that tug at the heartstrings. One of the most memorable moments came when Pete met a scruffy pointer named Ricky at the Dogs Trust rescue centre in Leeds. True to his EastEnders namesake, Ricky refused to come when called — forcing Pete and trainer Abbie to resort to comical shrieks that could be heard across the park.
“It hurt my throat just to hear him,” the critic joked, but the laughter quickly gave way to tears as the show revealed the darker side of the rescue world. Four Maltese crosses had been abandoned in a suitcase, their fur so matted they were barely recognisable.
The series doesn’t shy away from the heartbreak behind every rescue, but Pete’s empathy and natural charm make it compelling to watch. Like Paul O’Grady before him, he brings genuine warmth to the screen — the kind of compassion that feels real, not rehearsed.
The emotional peak came when Pete bonded with Theo, a gentle Italian mastiff with a severe heart condition and only 18 months to live. Pete’s voice broke as he told a reporter, “If ever there was a dog that deserves to feel that unconditional love, to be part of the family unit, then it’s him. For me, it was love at first slobber.”
With moments like these, For Dog’s Sake feels destined to give Wicks a new TV legacy — one built on heart, humour, and hope, long after his Essex reality days are forgotten.
