Maura Higgins, the 34-year-old television personality and former Love Island star, has recently set tongues wagging with rumors that she is dating TOWIE star Pete Wicks. Although Maura has not openly confirmed their relationship, the pair have been spotted together multiple times, fueling speculation.
The couple’s connection became particularly evident when they were seen kissing and looking affectionate during a date in East London just last week.
Their public displays of affection have led fans to believe they are indeed an item, especially after Maura subtly mentioned a romantic connection on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.
While in the I’m A Celebrity jungle, Maura opened up to her campmates about her personal life, revealing that she had been romantically involved with someone prior to entering the jungle. However, she admitted that she was still figuring out the “rules” of their relationship.
During a conversation with fellow campmates, Reverend Richard Coles and Dean McCullough, Maura described how she and the mystery man had an instant connection, but she wasn’t sure how to define it yet. When asked whether things felt different this time around, Maura explained, “It does, but then is it because we’ve known each other for a long time?” suggesting a sense of familiarity and comfort with the person she was involved with.
The man in question was later speculated to be Pete Wicks, especially after the pair was seen sharing a kiss at the Pride of Britain awards afterparty in November 2024. The following week, they were photographed together again on a public date, cuddling and kissing, which further fueled rumors of a budding romance. Despite the media frenzy, Maura has remained somewhat coy about confirming her relationship with Pete, although she has spoken highly of him in interviews.
During an appearance on the We Need To Talk podcast with marriage expert Paul C Brunson, Maura revealed that she had “instantly clicked” with Pete, calling him “an amazing person.” She explained that they had known each other for quite some time, with Pete being one of the people she met shortly after leaving Love Island. Though she emphasized their friendship and chemistry, she stopped short of officially labeling their relationship.
While Maura has a history of high-profile relationships, her connection with Pete appears to be sparking the most attention lately. Before her rumored romance with Pete, Maura was previously involved with several public figures, and her love life has been the subject of much speculation.
Maura Higgins’ Past Relationships
Before entering Love Island, Maura was in a long-term relationship with her childhood sweetheart, James Finnegan. The pair had been together for over nine years, but their relationship came to an end in 2017. This breakup occurred just before Maura’s rise to fame on Love Island.
After joining the reality dating show in 2019, she met and briefly dated Curtis Pritchard, a fellow contestant. The two made it through the show’s finale but unfortunately parted ways eight months later in March 2020.
Maura announced their separation on Instagram, expressing that they had tried to make it work but ultimately realized they were not meant to be.
Following her split from Curtis, Maura’s love life continued to make headlines. In 2020, she began dating her Love Island co-star Chris Taylor, with the couple sharing their relationship with fans on social media. However, by 2021, the pair had ended their romance.
Afterward, Maura became linked to Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice. The couple went public with their relationship in July 2021, sharing romantic photos together. However, after a brief four-month relationship, Maura and Giovanni parted ways, and she deleted all traces of him from her social media.
In 2022, Maura was rumored to have had a fling with another TOWIE star, Joey Essex. The two were seen sharing a passionate kiss at the Pride of Britain Awards, but when asked about the nature of their relationship, Joey downplayed it, stating,
“I don’t know – I can’t even remember.”
Shortly after, Maura moved on to a holiday romance with American businessman Yisroel Solomon, whom she was spotted with in Mexico. The two shared selfies at a beach bar, but this romance also ended after a short time.
In 2023, Maura briefly dated Hollywood stuntman Bobby Holland Hanton, who is known for doubling for action stars like Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Craig.
The couple confirmed their relationship during an appearance on the RTE Late Late Show, where Maura revealed that she was “no more single” and in a “very happy relationship.”
However, their romance didn’t last, and they reportedly split in March 2024, after realizing they were not a long-term match.
Who is Pete Wicks?
Pete Wicks, 36, is best known for his role on The Only Way is Essex (TOWIE), where he has been a central figure for many years. Beyond his work on TOWIE, Pete has participated in several other reality shows, including Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, Celebs Go Dating, and Celebrity MasterChef.
His appearances on these programs have helped him maintain a strong public profile. Recently, Pete has been a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, where he has garnered even more attention. Although his romantic life has also been the subject of media speculation, including rumors linking him to his dance partner Jowita Pryzstal, Pete has vehemently denied any such claims.
Regarding his connection to Maura, Pete has been supportive of her, especially during her I’m A Celebrity stint. He posted on Instagram to encourage his followers to vote for Maura, writing,
“I’ve been George of the Jungle but now it’s time to vote for Maura of the Jungle.”
Pete has also been spotted attending the BAFTA Television Awards 2024 with Maura, further strengthening the public’s belief that the two are romantically involved.
