Thursday night’s episode of I’m A Celebrity (November 21) saw two new faces join the camp – Love Island’s Maura Higgins and priest Richard Coles.
The newcomers have been encouraged to lie about their luxury living condition to their fellow campmates, which could lead to drama in future episodes. But it’s not just white lies that could stir the pot, as Maura actually has a past connection with the son of one of her co-stars.
The Love Islander previously dated Shane McGuigan, the son of boxer Barry McGuigan, potentially setting the stage for some awkward encounters on the show.
With Maura’s love life now under the spotlight due to her stint on I’m A Celebrity, what else is there to know about her ex, Shane?
Who is Shane McGuigan?
Shane, aged 36, has followed his father into the boxing world but as a coach, rather than a boxer. He has trained several world champions, including David Haye and Chris Billam-Smith, reports OK!.
He and his father run an elite boxing gym, McGuigan Gym, which was featured in a four-part BBC One documentary titled Stable: The Boxing Game. Available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, the documentary offers a glimpse into the gym’s inner workings and the stories that have unfolded within its walls.
At its release earlier in the year, Shane described how the four-part series “captures the highs, the lows and everything in between about what fighters, trainers, their families and friends all go through before, during and after a fight.”
Personal life
Shane is a proud dad to two boys, named Finley George and Caelan James. He shares parenting duties with his talented singer-songwriter other half, Taylor West. The family’s household also includes two bulldog companions.
It’s plain to see that family comes first for Shane, as he frequently posts adorable snapshots of Taylor and the children between his boxing content, often paired with a sweet caption.
In a heartfelt announcement in March 2023, Shane shared the delightful news of his engagement to Taylor by posting a loved-up picture of them together. He captioned the photo: “Over the moon @taylorwestmusic said yes.”
How did Shane and Maura meet?
Back in 2018, Maura and Shane had a short-lived romance, which unfolded a year before her claim to fame on Love Island.
Before her days in the spotlight on the popular dating show, Maura worked as a ring girl. It was during the rematch bout between David Haye and Tony Bellew that she first encountered Shane. However, with Maura based in Ireland and Shane busy with his gym in London, the relationship fizzled out.
“Maura has brains and beauty and she quickly caught Shane’s eye,” an insider told The Sun about the former couple’s first meeting. “They got chatting and had instant chemistry so of course he asked her out.”
Although their romance has since concluded, it’s rumoured that they still maintain a friendship.
Fans anticipating a dramatic encounter on I’m A Celebrity between Maura and the father of her ex, Shane, might not get what they expect, as the Love Island celebrity admitted she had never met Shane’s dad.
I’m A Celebrity…. Get Me Out Of Here! continues tonight at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX