Love Island's Maura Higgins and Pete Wicks have been setting tongues wagging over their rumoured romance in recent months. After their undeniably cosy display outside an East London pub at the end of October, Pete was then photographed leaving Maura’s Essex home on his 36th birthday just a week later.
And now, with speculation about their relationship more fevered than ever, heat has learned the pair are planning a romantic getaway once Pete is finished with Strictly and Maura, 33, has completed her impending stint in the I’m A Celebrity jungle. A source close to the reality TV stars says, ‘Pete and Maura have both been super-busy lately. He’s been working flat out on Strictly, and she’s been preparing for the jungle. They’ve tried to make as much time for one another as they can, but it’s not been easy. That’s why they’ve decided that when things calm down, they will go away on holiday, so they can spend some quality time together. It will either be over Christmas, which would be really special, or in early January to kick off 2025.’
Former TOWIE bad boy Pete – whose famous exes include Megan McKenna and Shelby Tribble – was first linked to Love Island 2019 bombshell Maura in August when they were spotted kissing. While fans have commented on his sizzling chemistry with Strictly partner Jowita Przystał, behind the scenes, he’s been growing closer to Maura. Neither have confirmed whether they’re officially an item, but Maura recently gushed about him on Paul C Brunson’s podcast, saying, ‘We just get on very, very well. I adore him, he's an amazing person. We met very soon after me coming off Love Island and we just instantly clicked.’
Our source tells us their friendship has now developed into something stronger and Maura could even be the one to tame the notorious womaniser. We’re told, ‘Pete and Maura have grown close very quickly and friends think they make a great couple.
‘He’s notorious for not settling down for long, but it’s different with Maura. They also make each other laugh, and Pete also likes the fact Maura is ballsy. They’re both really happy and she’s so proud of how well he’s doing on Strictly.’
