Love Island 2019 couple Maura Higgins and Curtis Pritchard announced they had split yesterday after seven months of dating – leaving Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury the only remaining couple from their series – but according to new reports, the pair had been on the rocks for some time and only stayed together because they feared breaking up would be bad for their brand.
It’s claimed Dancing On Ice star Maura “felt pressured” to stay with Curtis as they had joint work commitments but finally called things off after he shouted at her during a boozy row at the NTAs.
“Maura felt pressured to stick with him. They had booked jobs together, parties they had to attend,” a source told The Sun.
“When they met in Love Island it was genuine. But when the showbiz treadmill started on the outside, it was a sham.”
“The NTAs was the last straw. Maura has star quality and is a professional.
“Curtis showed his true colours that night.”
CHECK OUT which Love Island couples are still together
Love Island couples still together slider with cover pic - feb 2019 updated
1 of 9Swipe through to see which Love Island couples are still together...
2 of 9Series Two: Nathan Massey and Cara de la Hoyde
The couple later welcomed a baby boy called Freddie in December 2016. Sharing the happy news on social media, Nathan wrote, 'The day has finally come !!!! Myself and @cara_delahoyde have become parents to our beautiful baby boy !!! Massive hats off to Cara Who delivered our boy safely !!!!! #thenextchapter ud83dudc99ud83dudc76ud83cudffc[sic]In July 2018, Cara and Nathan announced they are now engaged with Nathan popping the question in the villa they first met.
3 of 9Series Two: Nathan Massey and Cara de la Hoyde
Nathan Massey and Cara de la Hoyde are the only Love Island winners to have remained together!Despite splitting for a number of months in 2017, the couple rekindled their romance when Cara discovered she was expecting the couple's first child.
4 of 9Series Two: Olivia Buckland and Alex Bowen
It took her a while, but Olivia Buckland finally found her man during Love Island season 2. After leaving the villa together when they finished in second place behind Cara and Nathan, the couple haven't looked back!
5 of 9Series Two: Olivia Buckland and Alex Bowen
Just a few months after leaving the famous villa, Alex popped the question to Olivia during a romantic trip to New York. The couple are now planning their wedding, with parts being shown on their very own TV show.
6 of 9Series Three: Dom Lever and Jess Shears
Despite the public thinking their relationship was just a 'joke', Jess Shears and Dom Lever have defied the odds and are one of the two couples still together from 2017's Love Island. Despite all of the drama, Dom proposed to his girlfriend in September 2017.
7 of 9Series Three: Dom Lever and Jess Shears
The couple have cashed in on promotional shoots together, appearances, and even got 'married' on Good Morning Britain on Valentine's Day. Despite the 'fake wedding', Jess and Dom then tied the knot for real in 2018, when they married at a private ceremony on the Greek island of Mykonos. They announced in May 2019 that they're expecting their first baby together! Congratulations!
8 of 9Series Three: Jamie Jewitt and Camilla Thurlow
The nation fell in love with Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend Camilla Thurlow in 2017. And after she had her heartbroken by a number of different men in the villa, model Jamie Jewitt arrived and swept Camilla off her feet.After enjoying time together outside of the show and meeting each other's families, the couple are living happily ever after.
9 of 9Series Three: Jamie Jewitt and Camilla Thurlow
The loved up couple have since traveled the world together on charity missions... can they get any better?!
READ MORE celeb news
Millionaire adult film mogul spills beans on Megan Barton-Hanson 'fling'
Theo Campbell hints at Kaz Crossley split - and it sounds brutal
EXCLUSIVE: Love Island’s Finn Tapp reveals the future of his footballing career
But a representative for Curtis slammed the report as "totally untrue".
They told us, "They didn’t fake their romance. This is all speculation with no evidence."
Maura announced she’d split from Curtis in a statement released on her Instagram story, writing, “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.”
WATCH Are Love Island’s Siannise & Luke T moving to Windsor Castle?
Their split comes after Love Island 2017 star Montana Brown claimed some couples from the show stay together to make more money.
The former Islander, who took part in the show’s third series, revealed ex-contestants think it’s a “better look” if they remain in a couple and believe it will increase their work opportunities.
She told MailOnline, “People worry they won't do as well on their own. It's also a really overwhelming time so it can be good to have someone by your side.
We've contacted Maura and Curtis' reps for comment.
If you love Little Mix and Lewis Capaldi wrap your lugholes around heat Radio. Listen now.