Maura Higgins reveals unusual first date with Pete Wicks after five years of friendship

Maura Higgins has officially left the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! camp (sob) but not before giving a final insight into her romance with Pete Wicks.

During her time in the jungle, Maura, 34, has been using thinly-veiled codes to talk about the blossoming relationship with 36-year-old Pete.

Although Maura rarely says his name (aside from in a conversation with GK Barry) – he’s like her Voldemort – she has been giving away details.

Just before her departure, during a conversation with Oti Mabuse, Maura revealed that they were a slow burn friends to lovers arc – it’s giving if Bridgerton was set in 2024.

In an exclusive clip shared on spin-off show I’m A Celebrity… Unpacked, Maura said they were friends for five years, with Pete the one determined to make it into something more. ‘He wouldn’t give up,’ Maura revealed.

Initially, Maura called him ‘delusional’ but Pete’s persistence eventually paid off.

Maura gave snippets of information during her time in the jungle (Picture: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock)

Pete was determined (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

However, when Maura finally agreed to a date, she made an unusual choice that goes against the normal etiquette. The former Love Island star decided to bring a load of friends with her, and called it a ‘friendship date’.

Their second date was a more intimate affair with the pair dining out on oysters and wine. When Oti, 34, asked if they had a good time, Maura responded: ‘Yeah, we just die laughing with each other 24/7. We have got the very same humour.’

Although, Maura is officially single, she has said that things feel ‘different’ with former Towie star Pete, whom she has been dating since the summer. The pair were spotted kissing outside of a London hotel, and have appeared close since. They went on a final date night together before Maura’s flight down under.

Maura won’t be reunited with Pete in Australia as he’s still dancing on Strictly (Picture: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock)

Maura also said in the conversation that’s she excited to hug him, and added that she may cry if he is in Australia to greet her.

There were no tears as Pete is still competing on Strictly Come Dancing, so couldn’t be at the end of the bridge.

While Maura was still in the running to be Queen of the Jungle, Pete used his social media accounts to encourage fans to vote to keep her in the show. He has been linked to his dance partner Jowita Przystal, but he’s denied they are more than friends.

Pete and Jowita will be trying to reach the final of Strictly Come Dancing (Picture: Instagram)

Some viewers were shocked to see Maura leave the jungle alongside Barry McGuigan. They became the fifth and sixth campmates to leave in a double elimination during the December 5 episode. Just Coleen Rooney, Danny Jones, Oti Mabuse, Reverend Richard Coles, GK Barry, and Alan Halsall now remain to battle it out.

‘Jesus Christ (sorry Father), how is Maura not in the final 4?!?! #ImACeleb,’ ranted viewer @BeckyLee91, while @odlumsflower added on X: ‘I’m actually raging and also surprised that Maura has been voted out of #ImACeleb …she was really starting to grow on me.’

@BelleEllis ranted: ‘#imaceleb gutted that Maura is gone. She made the show for me. I won’t be tuning into it after tonight. Was only watching for her. Thanks Maura for being iconic 👸👸👸👸’.

Maura enjoyed her jungle experience (Picture: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock)

Maura, who arrived as a late entrant, told hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly that she didn’t expect to ’embrace’ the experience as much as she did, but she ‘loved every single second’.

‘I’m much stronger than I ever thought,’ she said when asked what she’s learnt about herself during her exit interview.

On the connections she formed during her 15 days in camp, Maura added: ‘I feel like everyone was just so welcoming and every single person down there, they’re all incredible. It was like a proper unit. Everyone encouraged one another. There was no arguments, ever, which was wild!’

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues tonight at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

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