Pete Wicks and Maura Higgins appear to have ‘confirmed’ their romance, as photographs captured the pair seemingly heading off for a Christmas getaway together.

Strictly’s Pete Wicks might have taken things to a new level with Maura Higgins christmas (Image: GETTY)

Strictly star Pete Wicks and I’m A Celebrity’s Maura Higgins were seen loading the former’s Mercedes with luggage today, fuelling rumours that they are dating. The pair were previously spotted kissing, and could be well on the way to becoming the most famous reality show couple of the year.

It’s not clear where they were heading, but Maura looked as if she was ready to embrace some sunshine, as she headed outdoors revealing her bare waist despite the December chill.

This Morning: I’m A Celeb’s Maura Higgins gushes over Pete Wicks

Shrugging off speculation, she insisted: “I’m single. People can date and not be in a relationship and take things slow. What’s the point in getting them involved too soon, when you just don’t know where it’s gonna go, you know?”

However, she also admitted that she and Pete had been “papped [with their] tongues down each other’s necks”. The pair have been pals for five years, as they knew each other from the reality television circuit.

Pete Wicks has been pals with Maura Higgins for five years (Image: INSTAGRAM)

Maura, who sprung to fame as a Love Island finallist back in 2019, had first met Pete the year that he was on Celebs Go Dating, suggesting that he was ready to meet someone special.

However, Pete – who started his reality show career on The Only Way Is Essex in 2015 – didn’t click with her romantically immediately.

In fact, it was just a few months ago when the pair were first spotted kissing.

Maura admitted in the jungle that he’d started to pursue her, and despite her branding him “delusional”, he “wouldn’t give up” – so she decided to give him a chance.

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Maura Higgins confided her feelings about Pete Wicks in the jungle on I’m A Celebrity (Image: ITV)

Their first date wasn’t exactly traditionally romantic, as Maura opted to bring lots of friends along with her.

It might have looked like Pete was being friend-zoned, after she admitted that they “die laughing with each other 24/7” and shared a very similar sense of witty humour.

However, a more intimate date night followed just before she headed Down Under, and she admitted while on I’m A Celebrity that she “couldn’t wait” to be reunited with him.

She told excited Alison Hammondon This Morning, who insisted she knew the pair were in love, that she could be “bridesmaid” if they ever tied the knot.

Now things seem to be heating up further – and Express.co.uk has approached reps for Pete and Maura for comment.