I’m A Celeb’s Maura Higgins and Strictly’s Pete Wicks have fired up rumours of romance again and met up for a luxurious night in a hotel.
The reality TV duo were seen spending time together in a new snap just days after former Towie star Pete left the BBC dancing contest and brunette bombshell Maura returned from Australia after her jungle stint.
The photo, which sees Maura and Pete surrounded by friends in a hotel room in London, is jokingly captioned: “Welcome home, baby. We didn’t miss you.”
Maura can be seen with her loved ones in the swanky hotel room at the Me Strand with her love interest Pete coyly posing behind her in front of jungle-themed balloons.
With a big grin on her lip-glossed face, the stunning star can be seen holding a glass of red wine, wearing a comfy beige hoodie and black leggings with a pair of gold earrings.
Pete can be seen behind the smiling group wearing a black beanie hat and his trademark frown.
The former Love Island star is said to be ‘completely smitten’ with the ballroom bad boy.
During her time in the jungle, Maura, 34, addressed the romance speculation between her and Pete.
In scenes aired on the ITV show, Maura’s relationship status came up in conversation with campmate GK Barry.
The Love Island alum insisted she was single – despite having shared passionate snogs with Pete.
Confiding in GK, Maura shared: “I get it in a sense because I know I was on a dating show, but it was five years ago.”
Keeping coy on her romance with Pete, she said: “You know more than me!
“No, I’m single. People can date and not be in a relationship and take things slow.
“What’s the point in getting them involved too soon, when you just don’t know where it’s gonna go, you know?”
Maura added: “Well we’ve already been papped, tongues down each other’s necks and we had no idea!
“The funniest part was I had a vape in one hand and a cigarette in the other, living my best life.”
Maura also revealed that love interest Pete has been trying to date her for the past five years.
Speaking on I’m A Celebrity in the jungle camp with Oti Mabuse, Maura opened up about her current ‘mystery man’ Pete and their first date.
Speaking to the Strictly Come Dancing professional, Maura said: “Yeah, we’ve known each other since five years and never once…”
She continued: “He would always say, ‘Oh no, like, we are gonna go on a date somewhere’.
“And I’d be like, we’re actually not. And I was deadly serious, we’re actually not. You’re delusional.”
When asked what changed her mind, Maura revealed: “He wouldn’t give up. And then I was like, ‘Oh fine’.
“I brought my friends with me, and I was like, see it’s a friendship date. And then the next time I went, just me.”
Moving onto what their first date was like, Maura revealed it was no low key affair as she said: “We went out for oysters and wine. Yeah, come on. It was super nice.”
When asked if she and Pete have fun, a coy Maura smiled: “Yeah, a lot of fun. We just dial up 24/7 with each other. We’ve got the very same humour.”
Host Alison Hammond mentioned Pete during a segment on This Morning following her jungle exit and Maura said: “It didn’t take it long to ask you that question did it?!
“Do you know what, you forget about the cameras, I do like to keep things private.
“I said I miss him, I do miss him…”
She then giggled and said: “Like I miss all my friends and family.”
The star then explained that he’s been “so supportive” and that she “can’t wait to see him”.
Maura and Pete were first spotted kissing in August during a lunch date, then the TV stars were spotted getting cosy while on a date at London restaurant Gloria.
Days before flying out to Australia for I’m A Celeb, Maura and Pete were photographed on a date night at the London Palladium.
Pete was the most recent celebrity to leave Strictly last weekend during the tough semi-final, while Maura left the jungle in seventh place.
