Professional Milestone
The National Television Awards (NTAs) have officially confirmed that television personality Pete Wicks and his close friend Sam Thompson will return to host the event’s red carpet for the third consecutive year. The duo is scheduled to front the 2026 ceremony, taking place at The O2 in London on September 8, 2026. According to the official press release, Wicks and Thompson will manage all social channel content and behind-the-scenes coverage for the NTA YouTube platform, bringing their established rapport to the network’s flagship event.
For Wicks, the appointment represents a continued transition from his origins as a reality star on The Only Way Is Essex to a professional hosting role. The NTA organizers have signaled that attendees can expect the pair to leverage their trademark humor and unpredictability during the live broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX.
Personal Life and Public Scrutiny
Simultaneously, Wicks has dominated headlines for his personal life. Reality star Olivia Attwood recently confirmed her relationship with Wicks, describing the evolution of their connection as “unexpected.” The two, who co-host the Kiss FM radio show The Sunday Roast, transitioned from a professional relationship to a romantic one following Attwood’s separation from her previous partner, Bradley Dack.
In a recent interview with The Times, Attwood addressed the rapid progression of their relationship, acknowledging the complexity of starting a new chapter while still processing the end of a previous commitment. Despite public discourse surrounding the timing of her new relationship, Attwood emphasized that Wicks provides a level of intelligence, patience, and compatibility that she had not anticipated finding. She noted that their shared background in reality television has served as a foundational element for their mutual understanding, allowing them to navigate the public nature of their lives with shared goals for peace and stability.
Balancing Roles
As Wicks prepares for the September 8 event, he is tasked with balancing high-profile media responsibilities alongside increased public interest in his private life. The synergy between his hosting duties and his public relationship status highlights a busy period for the television personality, who has successfully pivoted from scripted reality to mainstream broadcasting and event hosting.