MAURA Higgins blew fans away tonight as she shared a sexy bikini snap from her new Ann Summers range.
The Love Island star looked incredible in the metallic purple two piece as she posed with her back to the ocean.
She slicked her wet hair back and finished her look with large hooped earrings as she fixed the camera with a sultry stare.
Her followers loved it with one commenting: “Perfection .”
Another wrote: “Gorgeous!”
As a third posted: “Wowee .”
It comes a day after Maura soaked up some sun in a pair of denim hotpants and a black vest top in another stunning snap.
Meanwhile last month The Sun reported how sources close to Maura’s Dancing On Ice pro Alex Demetriou believe he has his sights set on something more serious with her.
Pals close to the Blackpool-born skater believe his relationship with Maura, although purely platonic throughout Dancing on Ice, was the catalyst behind his decision to finally end his marriage.
A friend said: “Alexander is very taken with Maura. Those around her insist it’s just friendship but like most men, they go weak around Maura.
“Her confidence attracts men. It’s not her fault he finds her attractive and wants to spend time with her. It’s totally natural.
“But for Carlotta this has been really tough and it seems it’s going to get tougher before it gets easier.”
Carlotta, 30, and Alexander, 28, had put on a united front for months after the Canadian pro begged him to give their four-year marriage a chance.
In March she flew back to her homeland to spend time with her family while Alexander, who removed his wedding ring in February, stayed in the UK to give them time to consider the future.
A source close to her said: “Carlotta was desperate to work it out with Alexander but knows he’s had his head turned by Maura.
“They’ve not spoken for a long time but Alexander’s friendship with Maura made him realise his marriage to Carlotta was not what he wanted.
“Her family and their friends thought they could work through it but Alexander was adamant he wanted out. There was nothing else Carlotta could do but watch him leave.”
Despite Carlotta’s pleas, Alexander went ahead with the Instagram statement leaving her bereft.
Addressing his followers, Alexander wrote: “I’m sorry I have been quiet on social media recently but it’s been a tough time personally for me.
“Carlotta and I have separated. Although it saddens me that we can no longer be together, I feel this is best for the both of us.
“I’m looking forward to what the future will bring but in the meantime let’s all stay home and stay safe.”
The message, posted around 5pm, left Carlotta mortified after her attempts to put on a united front with Alexander. More than 24 hours later she had still not posted a response.
A pal close to her explained: “Carlotta knew Alexander was going to put the statement up but it wasn’t what she wanted.
“She wanted to make her relationship with Alexander work but he has clearly moved on in his mind and wants something different now.
“It’s been incredibly painful. She’s had to watch his friendship with Maura develop and grow and that has been tough.
“She managed to put on a brave face during Dancing On Ice but now it’s slipping.”
Those close to Carlotta said she had sensed Alexander wasn’t happy at the end of January, just a few weeks after the dancing show’s 12th series kicked off.
Carlotta was paired with married magician Ben Hanlin, 34, and pals say she struggled with jealousy over Alexander’s friendship with Maura after the two were teamed up.
A show insider explained: “Maura is stunning, fiery and independent – not many people who meet her aren’t automatically charmed by her.
“Alexander was obviously one of those. Maura made it clear it was just friendship but naturally it wasn’t easy for Carlotta to see her husband fawning after someone else.”
To make matters worse for Carlotta, Maura split up with her boyfriend, Curtis Pritchard, at the beginning of March.
Curtis, who had met the beauty eight months earlier on the ITV2 dating show, went on to claim he had also struggled with Maura’s close friendship with Alexander.
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