Tony Bellew has sent a playful warning to TV personality Pete Wicks. Tony will be playing in Soccer Aid tonight at Old Trafford in Manchester, the former boxer is one of many famous faces taking part in the charity match for UNICEF.
Since he hung his gloves up in 2018, Bellew has become a popular TV personality and was a hit with fans on the 2023 edition of I’m A Celebrity, finishing in second place behind Sam Thompson.
In a video posted by the Staying Relevant Podacast to TikTok, Tony said: “If only I’d have known what Pete Wicks looked like before I went in the jungle my wife wouldn’t have been allowed within two feet of him. But I thought Pete looked like Pete Doherty”
He added: “So I was imagining Pete to turn up looking absolutely dreadful and he had one of my children calling him dad. Stay well away from my family and children Pete. He joked “Or I will choke the life out of you.”
Radio presenter Sam Thompson stood next to Tony in the video, Sam and Pete are close friends. This month, Sam raised more than £1.5 million for Unicef as he battled a calf injury as he attempted to deliver the Soccer Aid match ball from London to Manchester ahead of the match.
The Only Way is Essex star Pete surprised Sam on his journey, with the two immediately embracing in a hug, before the runner broke down in tears in his podcast co-host’s arms. Former Strictly star Pete told him: “You’re smashing it”, but Sam replied “I’m not”.
He was reassured by Pete: “You’re nearly halfway there, whatever you’ve been through now, you’ve already done.” Pete and Sam host the Staying Relevant podcast together every week.
Tony told the podcast hosts: “On a serious note, I absolutely love Pete. I’m more likely to kiss Pete than strangle him he is that good looking.” When asked “what about me?” by Sam, the Scouser responded “you’re just my little brother.”
42-year-old Tony has remained close friends with Sam since their stint in the jungle. Tony also surprised Sam by meeting him as he made his way through Merseyside earlier this month on the Soccer Aid challenge. The two shared a heartfelt moment as Tony helped his friend cross the River Mersey in a speedboat.
Soccer Aid shared the emotional snaps on social media. Fans rushed to the comments after seeing the two TV stars reunite. One said: “Crying again just looking at these pictures, Sam you are absolutely the man and Tony is the friend everyone needs in their life, fantastic people.”
Away from the screen, Tony lives in Merseyside with his wife and four sons, Corey, Cobey, Carter, and Carson. The couple tied the knot in 2018. The “Bomber” is also a keen golfer and revealed his new driver in a clip shared in February last year.
The boxer keeps his family life private on social media but some posts on Instagram have given followers on Instagram an insight into his amazing home.
According to our sister site, Mirror Online, Tony’s spacious home sees incredible grey stone flooring leading out onto a perfectly landscaped garden, where French doors look out onto the neat lawn. A tall brick wall provides the family some privacy, with small plants around the borders to bring a dash of colour.