Maura Higgins drops dating bombshell amid whirlwind Pete Wicks romance as she insists she ‘doesn’t need a man!’
Maura Higgins has declared she “doesn’t need a man” amid her whirlwind romance with Pete Wicks.
The former Love Island star, 34, made the candid admission during a new interview with the Times this weekend, where she also confessed to having “terrible taste in men”.
When asked if she wanted to be in love, Higgins responded that “that would be lovely” but maintained she was “happy right now”.
The Irish television personality, who appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2024, remained coy about her relationship with Towie star Wicks, 36, stating: “I’ll date, and I’ll see where something goes, and if it happens, it happens.”
During her time in the jungle, Higgins revealed she and Wicks had known each other for five years, with Wicks persistently pursuing her romantically throughout.
Speaking to campmate Oti Mabuse, she explained how Wicks would regularly suggest dates, but she would firmly decline, telling him: “We’re actually not. You’re delusional.”
She eventually relented, arranging what she initially called a “friendship date” with her friends present.
Their first solo date proved to be luxurious, with Higgins revealing: “We went out for oysters and wine. Yeah, come on. It was super nice.”
The pair’s chemistry was evident, with Higgins noting: “We just dial up 24/7 with each other. We’ve got the very same humour.”
The pair’s romance was further evidenced when they reunited just hours after Higgins returned from Australia.
The couple were spotted cuddling up together in a London hotel, surrounded by jungle-themed balloons as they celebrated her homecoming with friends.
During his Strictly Come Dancing stint, Wicks showed his support for Higgins by reposting content from her Instagram account, which was being managed by her friends while she was in the jungle.
He playfully wrote: “I’ve been George of the Jungle but now it’s time to vote for Maura of the Jungle.”
Higgins’ romantic history includes several high-profile relationships in the entertainment industry.
She previously dated fellow Love Island contestant Chris Taylor, though their romance ended after a few months.
A relationship with Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice followed, before rumoured links to TOWIE’s Joey Essex.
Most recently, Higgins split from stuntman Bobby Holland Hanton in March 2024 after 10 months together.
Since rising to fame on Love Island in 2019, Higgins has built an impressive television career, presenting Glow Up Ireland and serving as social media host for Love Island USA and Love Island Games.
She also competed on Dancing on Ice in 2020 and appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2024.
Sources close to Wicks say he is determined to win Higgins’ heart, openly expressing his feelings to friends about the jungle star.
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The Mail on Sunday revealed Wicks ended his romantic liaison with Strictly partner Jowita Przystal to focus on his relationship with Higgins.
Before her jungle entrance, Wicks reportedly wanted to make their relationship exclusive. However, Higgins, concerned about Wicks’ reputation and his close bond with Przystal, reportedly chose to slow things down.
A friend claimed: “She gave him an ultimatum: either commit to her or let it go. So she went off a single woman.”
Since then, Wicks has reportedly “gone all-in, openly expressing his feelings to anyone who’ll listen.”