Pete Wicks paid a gushing tribute to his Strictly Come Dancing partner Jowita Przystal just before Maura Higgins announced their romance on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!

Pete Wicks paid a gushing tribute to his Strictly Come Dancing partner Jowita Przystal just hours before Maura Higgins confessed all about their relationship on TV.

Ex Towie star Pete, 36, and former Love Islander Maura, 34, have been keeping their relationship under wraps for the last few months – with the exception of a few sightings of them on dates across the capital. However, on last night’s i’m A Celeb, Maura let the cat out the bag as she revealed she was seeing ‘someone special.’

Fans have been guessing over the last few weeks if Pete has been seeing Maura or his dance partner Jowita, with whom he appears to have struck up a very close bond. The pair wrapped their arms around each other on the BBC results show on Sunday night as they were saved by the public.

Minutes later, Pete took to social media to pay a gushing tribute to his dance partner, he penned: ” I’ve been struggling to think of what to say and it’s not often I’m lost for words.

MAIN Pete Wicks sweet words to Maura Higgins despite ‘growing close’ to Jowita

“I am so overwhelmed and blessed to have had your support over the past 3 months, I never expected it and I have never taken it for granted. The belief you guys have had in me has been incredible and at times I’m not sure I’ve deserved it. I’ve said it before but no amount of words will ever be able to repay what you have given me. People talk about the “journey” and let me tell you, this isn’t my journey at all. It’s our journey. Jowita, you and I have all been on this wild ride and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

“I literally have no idea how I’m gonna get through next week but I can guarantee you I’ll be giving it my all. Thank you,” he finished alongside a love heart emoji.

Hours later Maura Higgins set the record straight on her relationship status during a chat with Reverend Richard Coles.

Maura said she’s been dating someone special on last night’s I’m A Celebrity ( 
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Pete Wicks paid a gushing tribute to Jowita after being saved by the public ( 
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PA)
The Love Island icon has been surviving in the Australian jungle with campmates Danny Jones, GK Barry, Oti Mabuse, Coleen Rooney and more. During the recent episode of the ITV show, Dean, Maura and a few others started chatting about past and current relationships.

Rumours have been swirling for months that she had been dating Strictly star Pete Wicks, but Maura has always insisted she’s single. Around the campfire, Dean shared his current relationship status, as he said: “I’ve been seeing someone since July, but we’re not boyfriends, we’re just dating. The first thing I messaged him before I came in here was ‘I adore you.’ ”

Maura said she wasn’t sure if she’s ever been in love in a candid chat ( 
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ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

He continued: “He fills me with so much joy because he’s just a vibe.” Oti then asked Maura whether she’s single, to which the reality star answered: “I am but I was seeing someone before I came in but I’m not in a relationship.” Reverend Richard then asked whether it was ‘exclusive’ before apologising for putting her on the spot.

Maura paused, and looked pensive, as she said: “I dunno.” Dean asked her: “Is it someone we would know?” with Maura looking sly before saying: “Yeah…” Dean also questioned whether she missed him while in the jungle, to which she admitted she did. However, Maura thinks she has never been in love.

Pete and Jowita have secured a place in the semi-final ( 
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BBC)
Richard described looking for his late partner David in a crowd and feeling his heart go, as Dean said: “I know that feeling.” Richard offered: “I think you’ll know when it happens, it’s just different.” Dean asked Maura whether it ‘felt different’ this time, and she said: “It does, but then is it because we’ve known each other for a long time?”

Richard said: “You’d know if he was an a**hole or not, by now,” and Maura answered: “Yeah, he’s not an a**hole.” Maura confirmed to her campmates that she’s “never been in love.” But when quizzed about her views on relationships, the Irish bombshell said she’s happy on her own. Maura’s best friend, Danika O’Connor, recently opened up about Maura’s relationship with Pete, claiming the two are simply just ‘really good friends’.

She said to OK!: “They’re just really good friends. Pete is supporting Maura in the jungle and she was supporting him on Strictly. It just shows what a good friend she is. She’ll be a good friend no matter what.”