Pete Wicks has recently opened up about the rumors surrounding his alleged romance with Maura Higgins, breaking his silence during an appearance on the Staying Relevant podcast with his close friend, Sam Thompson.
The dating speculation between the two stars began earlier in the year when they were spotted kissing in London, sparking widespread media interest and fan curiosity.
While Maura has already addressed the rumors during her stint on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, where she clarified that she was seeing someone before entering the jungle but was “not in a relationship,” Pete’s comments on the podcast shed more light on his perspective.
The TOWIE star reflected on his current stage in life, mentioning that he is single and that he’s at a different point in his life, which likely plays a role in his approach to relationships.
The conversation on Staying Relevant was sparked when Sam Thompson, who was interviewing I’m a Celebrity campmates for I’m a Celebrity: Unpacked, shared a moment of awkwardness when the topic of Maura’s love life came up.
Sam recalled how he had to navigate around the situation carefully, trying to avoid discussing Pete amidst the speculation.
He humorously revealed how his loyalty to Pete made him hesitate when co-host Joel Dommett joked about the identity of the “mystery man” Maura had mentioned in the jungle.
Pete, always quick with a quip, acknowledged the awkwardness and joked about how Sam was avoiding the topic, remarking,
“I presume what you’re doing there is trying to not discuss what everyone has been discussing, which is Maura.”
This led to further lighthearted teasing between the friends about how the topic had been handled on the show, including a funny moment where Joel Dommett had humorously referred to Pete as the “mystery man” after Sam’s attempts to dodge the subject.
The situation escalated slightly during Maura’s exit interview on I’m a Celebrity, where Sam, in a moment of panic, accidentally referred to Pete as part of the “family” when greeting Maura after her departure.
Sam admitted that he was mortified by the slip-up, fearing he had ruined his presenting career right from the start. Pete couldn’t resist poking fun at his friend, saying,
“It does until you did her leaving interview and said, ‘Welcome to the family’. I think that one just slipped out a bit!”
Despite Sam’s embarrassment, he later revealed that Maura had been incredibly kind and understanding about the whole situation, which helped to diffuse the tension.
Both Pete and Sam shared their thoughts about how detailing the rumors in the public eye can be tricky, but they also displayed a strong friendship and a sense of humor about the whole ordeal.
Pete reflected on how such rumors are often blown out of proportion, and he noted that he’s in a different headspace now than he might have been in the past.
He also joked about how Sam’s loyalty to him was evident, even if it led to some awkward moments on air.
While the speculation about Pete and Maura’s relationship continues to swirl, both stars seem to be handling the situation with grace and humor.
Maura has consistently maintained that she was seeing someone before going on I’m a Celebrity but is not currently in a relationship, while Pete’s focus remains on his personal journey and being single at the moment.
The whole exchange on the podcast offers a lighthearted and candid glimpse into how both stars are managing the buzz surrounding their rumored romance, showcasing their friendship and the playful dynamic between them.
It’s clear that Pete and Sam’s bond is strong, and despite the occasional awkwardness, they both find humor in the situation.
For now, the dating rumors remain unresolved, but Pete and Maura seem to be taking it all in stride, with plenty of laughs along the way.
