Maura Higgins hints that she'll MARRY Pete Wicks in SH0CK post I'm A Celeb interview - after ADMITTING HE PURSUED her for years before their first date

Maura Higgins made a bold public declaration about her feelings for Pete Wicks on This Morning on Friday – and even joked about marrying him.

The Love Island star, 34, shared her excitement to see the former TOWIE star, 36, during a post I’m A Celebrity interview with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary.

The brunette bombshell discussed her time on the show, including overcoming her fear of spiders, bonding with Rev Richard Coles and missing her current flame Pete.

During her time on the show the reality star revealed that she had been dating Pete before entering the jungle, but admitted she wasn’t sure if they were in a relationship.

But now, having been eliminated from the show on Thursday night, Maura revealed she is excited to reunite with him.

She told hosts Alison and Dermot: ‘I do miss him – like I miss all my friends and family!’

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I’m A Celeb’s Maura Higgins seemingly confirmed to dating Strictly star Pete Wicks as she as she made a rare comment about her love life during Sunday’s show

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The Love Island star, 33, was seen kissing Strictly’s Pete, 36, a few weeks ago but since entering the jungle has insisted she was single (pictured together in May)

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During the interview the brunette bombshell discussed her time in the Jungle, including overcoming her fear of spiders, bonding with Rev Richard Coles and missing her current flame Pete

She went on to say that he has been supportive of her throughout the competition and she’s been cheering him on on Strictly Come Dancing too.

She said: ‘Honestly he’s been so supportive.

‘I didn’t know if he was still in Strictly, I’m so proud of him and he’s proud of me and I can’t wait to see him.’

Alison then cheekily asked if he could be a bridesmaid at the pair’s wedding – with Maura giggling before agreeing to the request: ‘Yes, you can be a bridesmaid Alison.’

Maura also explained that she hadn’t meant to reveal any details of her private life, but forgot that there were cameras filming.

‘Do you know what, you do forget about the cameras,’ she said.

‘And I do like to keep things private, I don’t remember saying it, but I did.’

On last night’s episode of I’m A Celeb, Maura revealed that the pair had known each other for longer than fans might expect – and said Pete had pursued her relentlessly.

‘Yeah, we’ve known each other since five years and never once…” she told Oti.

‘He would always say, ‘Oh no, like, we are gonna go on a date somewhere.’ And I’d be like, ‘We’re actually not.’ And I was deadly serious, we’re actually not. You’re delusional.”

When asked why she eventually changed her mind, Maura explained: ‘He wouldn’t give up. And then I was like, ‘Oh fine’.

‘I brought my friends with me, and I was like, ‘see it’s a friendship date.’ And then the next time I went, just me.”

Recounting their first date, Maura revealed no expense was spared, noting: ‘We went out for oysters and wine. Yeah, come on. It was super nice.’

As for their chemistry, Maura quipped: ‘Yeah, a lot of fun. We just dial up 24/7 with each other. We’ve got the very same humour.’

Last week, Maura seemingly confirmed that she was dating Strictly star Pete as she as she made a rare comment about her love life during Sunday’s show.

The Love Island star was seen kissing Pete a few weeks ago after cooling his romantic liaison with partner Jowita Przystal, but since entering the jungle has insisted she was single.

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Maura revealed that Pete has been very supportive of her throughout the competition and she’s been cheering him on on Strictly Come Dancing too (pictured with partner Jowita Przystal on November 30)

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Following Maura’s elimination from the show on Thursday night, the reality star revealed she is excited to reunite with Pete as soon as she gets home

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Alison also cheekily asked if he could be a bridesmaid at the pair’s wedding – with Maura giggling before agreeing to the request: ‘Yes, you can be a bridesmaid Alison’

When asked by Oti Mause whether or not she was single, Maura replied: ‘I am but I was seeing someone before I came in but I’m not in a relationship.’

Reverend Richard then asked: ‘Was it exclusive? Or if I’ve put you on the spot, sorry!’, to which she replied after a long pause: ‘I dunno’.

After being quizzed on if it was someone the public might know she answered coyly: ‘Yeah’ before admitted that she was missing him since entering camp.

Maura admitted that she thought she had never been in love, Richard described looking for his late partner David in a crowd and feeling his heart go, as Dean said: ‘I know that feeling.’

The Radio 1 DJ then asked about her current situation: ‘Does it feel different this time?’

Maura answered: ‘It does, but then is it because we’ve known each other for a long time?’

Richard added: ‘You’d know if he was an a**hole or not, by now, as the stunner smiled to herself, and replied: ‘Yeah, he’s not an a**hole.’

Despite his busy Strictly stint has showed that he still has Maura on his mind as he reposted Maura’s Instagram which is being run by her friends and family while she’s Down Under -and urging people to vote for her.

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Maura also explained that she hadn’t meant to reveal any details of her private life, but forgot that there were cameras filming

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Last week, Maura let slip some details about her relationship with Pete and when asked by Oti Mause whether or not she was single, Maura replied: ‘I am but I was seeing someone before I came in but I’m not in a relationship’

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Reverend Richard then asked: ‘Was it exclusive? Or if I’ve put you on the spot, sorry!’, to which she replied after a long pause: ‘I dunno’

He quipped: ‘I’ve been George of the Jungle but now it’s time to vote for Maura of the Jungle’.

And Maura’s family have shown their support for Pete in return as they also shared a clip of him and Jowita on Strictly.

Posting a sweet video of the pair dancing under the glitterball, they penned in the Saturday night post: ‘waltzing into the quarter final like… known em dead tony!!

‘Best of luck tonight @p_wicks01 we are all supporting you.’

The post comes as The Mail on Sunday revealed that Pete has put a stop to his romantic liaison with Jowita – because he is determined to win the heart of Maura.

Sources close to Pete say he is telling friends he is completely smitten with the jungle star who he has been casually dating for the past five months.

When he began Strictly and met Jowita, Maura gave up any hope of the relationship continuing.

A friend said: ‘Before Maura entered the jungle, Pete wanted to make their relationship exclusive.

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Pete is said to have put a stop to his romantic liaison with Jowita as Maura entered the Jungle because he is determined to win the heart of the Love island star (Pete and Jowita pictured together on Strictly)

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Following Maura’s confession, the star’s mother Sharon has issued a stern warning to Pete after her daughter revealed she had been dating the former TOWIE star before she entered the Jungle

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Sharon warned Pete to watch out because Maura is not to be messed with

‘But Maura, aware of Pete’s reputation and his close bond with Jowita, decided to slow things down.

‘She gave him an ultimatum: either commit to her or let it go. So she went off a single woman.

‘Since then, Pete has gone all-in, openly expressing his feelings to anyone who’ll listen’.

But while Pete may have finally decided Maura is the one for him, the reality star’s mother h issued a stern warning about her daughter.

And following Maura’s confession, her mother Sharon told The Sun what her one piece of advice for Pete would be.

She told the publication: ‘But you know something? That just shows you, anyone who’s to date her – watch out: don’t cross Maura!’.

Sharon went on to say that she hasn’t watched the star on Strictly Come Dancing and has no plans to.

She explained she had yet to meet the reality star and hadn’t been keeping up with his TV appearances.

She said: ‘I never watch Strictly. I’ve never had interest in it. It’s not a show I’ve ever watched, so I’m not going to start now.’

I’M A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE UP

OTI MABUSE

Oti Mabuse has already two Strictly glitterballs under her belt

AGE: 34

OCCUPATION: Professional dancer

FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020.

DANNY JONES

Danny Jones is one of the bookies’ favourites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: McFly singer

FAMOUS FOR: Danny is one of the lead vocalists and the lead guitarist for pop-rock band McFly.

He is also a coach on The Voice UK.

BARRY MCGUIGAN

Former boxer Barry McGuigan is heading into the jungle

AGE: 63

OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer

FAMOUS FOR: Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the WBA and lineal featherweight titles from 1985 to 1986.

GK BARRY

GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women

AGE: 25

OCCUPATION: TikTok star

FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle, and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel.

DEAN MCCULLOUGH

ITV bosses are hoping Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in the camp

AGE: 32

OCCUPATION: Radio 1 DJ

FAMOUS FOR: Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I’m A Celeb bosses, in the hope that he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views.

Earlier this year it was announced Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, after previously fronting the afternoon slot.

JANE MOORE

Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women

AGE: 62

OCCUPATION: Journalist

FAMOUS FOR: Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women between 1999 and 2002.

She returned as a regular panellist from 2013 onwards.

Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from husband of 20 years, Showbiz agent, Gary Farrow.

MELVIN ODOOM

Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021

AGE: 44

OCCUPATION: DJ and TV presenter

FAMOUS FOR: His work on radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.

He also had a primetime stint on Strictly back in 2016.

COLEEN ROONEY

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: WAG

FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against arch rival Rebekah Vardy.

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, exceeding Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.

ALAN HALSALL

Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs on Coronation Street

AGE: 42

OCCUPATION: Actor

FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I’m A Celeb last year, after undergoing ACL Reconstruction surgery.

Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and no doubt he will draw in a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap.

TULISA