THE real reason Pete Wicks quit TOWIE after seven years on the series has been revealed.
A source has now exclusively told The Sun how the tattooed hunk, 34, wasn't getting along with a host of his "fame hungry" castmates, prompting his decision.
Pete stunned telly fans when he announced his TOWIE exit last month.
The show lothario joined TOWIE in 2015 and became a regular in Season 15.
He was friends with co-star James Lock before appearing on the ITVBe show.
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An insider has now told The Sun: “Pete wasn't getting on great with some members of the cast as he thought a lot of them were just fame-hungry and not very authentic, especially some of the newer members of the show.
"By the same token, a lot of the cast felt like Pete acted as if he was over it and above the rest of them, so they were relieved when he announced he was leaving."
Pete, often dubbed Pirate Pete, appeared on the Saving Grace podcast in December and pulled no punches when he talked about the show, making it clear he was ready to move on.
He said: "I don’t actually get on with all of the cast of the cast. Over the years a lot of people have refused to film with me.
"I am exactly the same off camera to on camera. The majority of them are not. Because they are all fake f***s."
In December The Sun was first to reveal how Pete had locked horns with his fellow stars.
Meanwhile, speaking on his Staying Relevant podcast with his good pal Sam Thompson, he attempted to clear up speculation about the spats.
He said: "Get it right. I’m not barred.
"You have to say it right because that makes it sound like the show have banned me.
"No, they have refused to film with me. So no one is barred or banned, they could if they wanted to but they don’t want to.
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"So ITV Towie have not barred me from filming with people or banned me from filming with people, they just don’t want to film with me, which is worse actually because it effectively means no one likes me, which is understandable.”
The Sun has approached a TOWIE rep for comment.
