Pete Wicks is facing mounting scrutiny after it emerged his collapsed media company has been under investigation for three years — with liquidators still unable to close the case as questions continue to swirl.
The former TOWIE star, 38, shut down his firm PW Promotions Ltd back in 2023 after building up significant debts, despite earning strong fees from his television career. But rather than being wrapped up swiftly, the situation has dragged on — with officials now confirming they are still “awaiting the outcome of a review of accounting information” before the company can be dissolved.
When Pete initially filed paperwork during the collapse, he signed a Statement of Affairs claiming the business owed £100,681. However, a deeper review later revealed the true figure was significantly higher — with total debts climbing to £121,368.
A large portion of that sum is owed to HMRC, including £59,681 in corporation tax, £24,710 in VAT and £1,273 in PAYE, alongside £35,704 owed to trade and expense creditors.
Despite Pete’s continued success on screen, the financial reality behind the company appears bleak. Liquidators have confirmed there are no assets available and “no recoveries have been made,” leaving those owed money facing the likelihood of receiving nothing at all.
According to the official report, the investigation uncovered issues requiring further clarification, and the process remains ongoing with support from the company’s accountants. Only once this review is complete can the liquidation finally be closed.
This isn’t the only business setback linked to Pete. He was also involved in clothing firm Happy Brands alongside fellow TOWIE star Jake Hall and associate Charles Sharp. The company reported staggering accumulated losses of £796,258 before Pete and Jake resigned as directors in November 2022. Just a year later, the business entered liquidation owing £795,463 and was eventually dissolved.
Meanwhile, Pete’s current venture, Unkempt — launched in 2021 — is still active, although its accounts are reportedly overdue according to Companies House filings.
He has also been connected to several other short-lived businesses, including Hermano Clothing and Pirate Pete’s Tattoo, both of which opened and closed without trading.
The financial headlines come at the same time Pete’s personal life is making waves. He was recently spotted sharing a kiss with Olivia Attwood at London’s Flute Bar in Soho — just weeks after her marriage breakdown in January.
The pair, who had long insisted they were just friends, are now believed to have started a romance in late February. Witnesses said they spent over three hours partying together on the night the photos were taken.
Their relationship has reportedly sparked a strong reaction from Olivia’s ex-husband Bradley Dack, who is said to feel “livid and embarrassed,” with any hopes of reconciliation now firmly dashed.
While both Pete and Olivia have continued to appear separately at work — including arriving solo to host their KISS FM show shortly after the images emerged — their connection has become increasingly difficult to deny.
Rumours about the pair had already been circulating since last summer, when they were seen looking close during a boat trip in Ibiza — raising early questions about the state of Olivia’s marriage at the time.
In the aftermath of the kiss, both camps have reportedly moved quickly to control the narrative, with stories also surfacing suggesting Bradley had moved on. However, those claims were swiftly shut down by Emily Rose Moloney, who publicly denied being in any relationship with him, saying the rumours were “out of hand” and insisting she had not been involved with Brad for over a decade.
As the investigation into Pete’s finances continues — with no clear end in sight — the contrast between his headline-making romance and unresolved business troubles is only drawing more attention.
