Maura Higgins has put an end to dating rumours connecting her with Pete Wicks, speaking candidly in the newest instalment of I’m A Celebrity.
In a heartfelt conversation by the creek with co-contestant Grace Barry, as they handled their washing tasks, the Love Island star addressed whispers from a previous press encounter.
She stated firmly: “You know more than me! No, I’m single. People can date and not be in a relationship and take things slow.”
She also questioned the merit of media scrutiny at the early stage of dating, pondering: “What’s the point in getting them involved too soon, when you just don’t know where it’s gonna go, you know?”
The conversation turned to privacy concerns, which prompted Maura to recount her own unexpected paparazzi moment with Pete Wicks, admitting: “Well we’ve already been papped, tongues down each other’s necks and we had no idea!”
Earlier on during Sunday night’s episode, she admitted to seeing someone prior to flying to Australia but emphasized that it wasn’t serious, clarifying: “I am but I was seeing someone before I came in, but I’m not in a relationship.”
When probed by campmate Dean McCullough regarding whether the person she was seeing was known to the public, she simply confirmed: “Yeah.”
Speculations heated up around Maura and Pete since they were spotted looking cosy in London back in August and even more so after their appearance together at the National Television Awards in October, reports Plymouth Live.
Both have dismissed the rumours, consistently stating that they are just friends. Pete has been openly supporting Maura on social media during her time on the show, posting stories with encouraging messages of support.
Maura entered the jungle a week into the show along with fellow latecomer Reverend Richard Coles, and they were sent to the jungle junkyard.
The pair had to deceive the main camp into thinking they were living in terrible conditions, when in reality they had access to luxuries such as a fridge, a double bed and a gas cooker.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues tomorrow night at 9pm on ITV and ITVX. I’m A Celebrity…Unpacked airs live on ITV2 every night directly after the ITV1 show.