Following her split with Love Island boyfriend Curtis Pritchard last week, Maura Higgins was linked to her Dancing on Ice partner Alexander Demetriou amid reports their relationship was growing “increasingly cosy”.
It was claimed Alexandra’s wife Carlotta Edwards, who’s also a skating pro on the ITV show, had grown concerned over their closeness and believed her husband “had his head turned” by Maura.
New reports now suggest Maura and Carlotta had to be kept apart at this weekend’s final over fears they could get into a confrontation.
A source told The Sun, “It's a small set-up at the studio but producers went out of their way to stop Maura and Carlotta coming into contact.
“Dancing On Ice is a family show and the last thing they wanted was a catfight. Backstage they were kept apart with Maura being taken under pro skater Matt Evers' wing.
“Even the make-up department were briefed to work on them at different times.”
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However, a different source told the Mirror that any reports of separation backstage were untrue.
They added, “Any suggestion that anyone was separated backstage is categorically untrue. With all the celebrities back for the last show there was a real last day of term party atmosphere. No tension and certainly no separation.”
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Maura and Curtis dated for seven months after coming fourth in the Love Island 2019 final but she announced their split last Monday in a statement released on her Instagram story.
She told fans, "Curtis and I have made the decision to separate. We enjoyed a great experience from our time in the villa and want to thank everyone for supporting our relationship.
"There is no easy way to get through a breakup and no bad feeling on either side.
"We tried to make it work but it wasn't to be and I wish Curtis nothing but the best for the future."