Maura Higgins: ‘I’ve got a proper resting bitch face’

To say that Maura Higgins’ life has changed over the past six months would be a huge understatement. After coming fourth on a little show called Love Island in the summer, the Irish grid girl’s feet have barely touched the ground. And now, when they do make brief contact, they’re tightly laced up in a pair of figure skates, in anticipation of this year’s Dancing On Ice.

Love Island made Maura a household name, with many viewers questioning her commitment to the “girl code” after she – some think coldly – swooped in on Curtis Pritchardwhen he’d just dumped heartbroken Amy Hart. But it was her no-nonsense, straight-talking approach to life and her bawdy banter that eventually won the nation over and put her – and her “fanny flutters” – on the map.

Since stepping off the island, life has gone from 0-60 in no time at all. She’s moved from her beloved Ireland to London (“I miss having a hug with me mammy, though”), been welcomed into the This Morning family as resident agony aunt, has a heap of hugely confidential projects in the pipeline (which she absolutely refuses to tell us about, no matter how hard we pry), and been to more fancy-schmancy red-carpet events than we’ve had hot dinners. All while trying to navigate a blossoming relationship with equally busy boyfriend Curtis, which – if you’re nosy like we are – is going really, really well.

But while it all sounds like every girl’s dream come true, the 29 year old is still adjusting to life in the fast lane, admitting to heat that, after being recognised and stopped for selfies by members of the public so frequently on a recent shopping trip, she rushed home and hasn’t been shopping since.

So, as training for Dancing On Ice seriously ramps up and a good night’s sleep is even more a thing of the past, we find out what

Maura does in her spare time to really unwind from life in the limelight (spoiler alert: it involves a naked Curtis)…

How has life changed since Love Island?

God, everything has changed. I’ve moved over to London, so I don’t get to see my family and friends much because of that. My schedule is just crazy, hectic. So many amazing opportunities that I’m being given, all the red-carpet events… Everything has massively changed.

What’s been the best pinch-yourself moment?

God, I’ve had a lot of them! I mean, there’s so many. Being part of the This Morning family and now getting to do Dancing On Ice – it is all very, very crazy. I still pinch myself every day.

What do you miss most about home?

I think it’s just my family, really. My family and close friends. Obviously, we can call each other, but not having a cuddle from∂ my mammy when I’m having a down day can be hard.

Do you get recognised a lot?

Oh, wow, yeah. I went out shopping once and I didn’t even buy a thing – I didn’t get a chance to even look at what I might like, because I was being stopped so much. I went home and I never went back.

Does it get a bit much?

It does at times, yeah. No matter where I go, I’m recognised. It’s a bit hard to get used to, I’ll be honest.

What assumptions do people make about you?

All my life, once people get chatting to me, they’ll always then say, “Oh my God, you’re actually a really nice girl!” I used to get it all the time. I never understood why people thought I was so horrible. But I think that people judge you on social media and stuff, and if you’re posing, people assume you’re a certain way, or stuck up. But it’s not the case at all.

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Do people think you’re a bit of an ice queen?

Yes, 100 per cent. I think it’s because I’ve got the resting bitch face. [Laughs.]

How are things going with Curtis?

Things are going really, really well. We’re not living together, but we see each other as much as we can. Things couldn’t be better with him.

Is it tough when you’re both so busy?

Of course, yeah. But it’s quite nice, as we have time to miss each other and really look forward to our time together. We can’t wait to see each other, which is always a good thing.

What would you say are the best bits about him?

Oh my God, he’s just amazing. He’s very, very kind. It was my birthday recently and he was giving me, like, presents every day for the entire week before. No other boyfriend has ever done anything like that for me before. It was very special and very thoughtful of him.

What kind of things did he get you?

I’m not gonna say. I keep that kind of thing private, to be honest.

Guessing you won’t tell us if you have pet names for each other then?

Well, he always calls me “Button Nose”.

Awww, that’s cute…

I know, yeah.

Does he do anything that annoys you?

No, not really. Although he cracks his neck a lot – it’s awful, I can’t listen to it. But that’s the only thing. There’s no fallouts, no.

Oh, you two! So, he still gives you fanny flutters, then?

Yeah, 100 per cent! [Laughs.]

How long have you been in training for DOI?

Since the end of September. I don’t even know what day or month it is, to be honest.

How hard is it?

It’s very hard, I have to say. I’ve not been skating as much as I should have been, because I’ve got so much going on. But, right now, I need to get down and really focus on the skating. I am very behind and that worries me a little.

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Have you had any tumbles?

Yeah, I fall over a lot. I’ve got the biggest bruise on my leg. But I’m really enjoying it. I’m just loving the journey.

Has Curtis given you any dancing tips?

No. I get this question a lot – Curtis isn’t a skater, it’s very, very different. He could help me with posture, but I mean, the last thing we want to do when we get to spend time together is work on fixing my posture, do you know what I mean?

Do you think you’ve got what it takes to win the show?

I mean, I definitely want to win. I’m very, very competitive. I’m going to aim to win it, yes.

Do you have to follow a special diet while training?

Not at all. You burn so much on the ice. You wouldn’t believe the amount of sweating that you do. It’s ridiculous.

There’s often a romantic curse with these shows. Should Curtis be worried?

He has got absolutely nothing to worry about. At all. Alexander [Demetriou] is brilliant, but he’s just my skating partner and that is all. Curtis has got nothing to worry about.

So, apart from skating practice, what is your normal fitness regime like?

I don’t have one. I don’t go to the gym.

What does 2020 hold for you?

Oh God, I can’t say. But I’m working on a lot of stuff at the moment. That’s why I’ve been so busy. So yeah, there is lots to come. And, hopefully in 2020, I’ll be the winner of Dancing On Ice!

How do you unwind after all these long, busy days?

I like to get into the bath. Me and Curtis like to have a good long bath together.

One at either end?

Yep, love it.

Candles, bubbles – that kind of thing?

Yep, candles, bubbles, bath salts, the lot.

What are your New Year’s resolutions?

I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. It’s something I’ve never done. I always think, why should people stop doing things they like? Everyone always gives up alcohol, and I think, what’s the point? Life is short – you may as well enjoy it and do what you want.

So, we won’t find you on the Dry Jan bandwagon?

No, not me! [Laughs.] I love wine too much.

Have you stayed in contact with the other islanders?

Yeah, I have. I see Chris a lot, Lucie, Joe, and I see Tommy and Molly-Mae when they’re down from Manchester. We try to see each other when we can, but because I’ve been so busy, I can’t make a lot of launch parties and stuff. I just don’t have the time.

Who was your last text from?

Ooh, let me check. [Whips out phone.] It was from… Curtis!

And what did it say?

[Reads it to herself.] Oh, we were talking about seeing each other on Friday and just that we were looking forward to it. He says he misses me, even though we only left each other yesterday.

When was the last time you felt really, really happy?

At the weekend, you know. When I was spending time with Curtis. He ran the bath for me. We had takeout. We went to see Frozen 2 – he loved it! We just had a really nice time together.

And when did you last cry?

I cried about three days ago, because I was just so tired. I was exhausted and just needed some time out to unwind.

Is it just mad how your life is suddenly super-busy?

It’s just crazy. I still don’t think it’s sunk in.

Maura, are you getting enough vitamins?

[Laughs.] I am. Don’t worry, I’m looking after myself.

Dancing On Ice returns to ITV on Sunday 5 January.

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