Maura Higgins opened up on her love life

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! star Maura Higgins spilled on her love life as she opened up on her first date with her mystery man believed to be Pete Wicks

Maura Higgins opened up on her romantic life as she admitted to falling in love.

The Love Island star has been seen getting cosy to former TOWIE star Pete Wicks in recent months and were said to be ‘close pals’ before their friendship turned romantic. She even confirmed she is ‘seeing someone’ to her I’m A Celebrity campmates but they have yet to make it exclusive.

Pete, who is taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, has been facing rumours he is in a relationship with his professional dance partner Jowita Przystal. However, Maura has been dropping hints to her campmates about her mystery man believed to be Pete. When Reverend Richard Coles asked if she and her mystery man – who she confirmed was a familiar face – were an item, a slightly red-faced Maura admitted she wasn’t sure, because she “doesn’t know the rules” and was still officially single.

In an exclusive clip shared on spin-off show I’m A Celebrity…Unpacked, Maura opened up to former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse. Oti probed Maura on her love life as they cryptically seemed to talk about Pete’s stint on Strictly and if he would be in Australia to meet Maura.

The reality star revealed she had been friends with her new man for five years before things turned romantic after he persisted. Oti asked: “What made you say yes then?” Maura shared: “He wouldn’t give up.” She then shared detials of their first date as she confessed: “I actually brought my friends with me and I was like ‘see it is a friendship date’.

The pair have been spotted on cosy dates ( Image: Tik Tok)
“Then the next time I went just me.” Oti probed: “Did you go somewhere or just at the house?” Maura told her: “No we went out for oysters and wine.” Oti quipped: “Come on, come on. Do you have fun?” Maura shared: “Yeah, we just die laughing with each other 24/7. We have got the very same humour.”

Pete, 36, has also hinted at his feelings for Maura on social media. Pete reposted a meme urging his 1.8 million Instagram followers to vote for her as Queen of the Jungle and was quick to comment (with three clapping emojis) on another post calling for votes. Initially, friends of the duo played down the romance rumours which started after they were seen kissing outside a London hotel in August. However, there’s now plenty of evidence suggesting they’re more than just mates.

Last week, Maura discussed the public’s fascination with her love life with jungle campmate GK Barry, 25, five years on from her Love Island stint. When quizzed about her status with Pete, Maura clarified: “I’m single. People can date and not be in a relationship and take things slow.” Maura went on to add: “What’s the point in getting them involved too soon, when you just don’t know where it’s gonna go, you know?”

Pete and Maura raised eyebrows with their closeness at the Pride of Britain 2024 afterparty in Grosvenor House Hotel’s Red Bar in October. A source at the bash said, “Pete did look cosy with Maura at points but he wasn’t shy about telling people he was single,” adding that Pete was openly declaring his single status on the red carpet and even joked about it post-awards in the bar.