He’s the TOWIE bad boy currently impressing the Strictly Come Dancing judges with his surprisingly nimble dance moves. She’s the Love Island favourite who won over the public with her instantly iconic catchphrases. And after months of whispers, it appears that things might be heating up between long-term friends Pete Wicks and Maura Higgins, as the pals were reportedly seen kissing at the Pride of Britain Awards after party.
In recent weeks, Pete has been linked to his Strictly pro partner Jowita Przystal, who recently said in an interview that she had 'very good chemistry' with the reality star known for his lothario ways. But it was Maura, not the Polish dancer, who Pete was said to have been smooching at the Red Bar of London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Tuesday night, as reported by The Daily Mirror.
Rumours about Maura and Pete have been swirling for months, and with both parties now single, the reality stars could be making a go of it. Model Maura, who previously dated Love Island stars Curtis Pritchard and Chris Taylor, split from her ex, stunt performer Bobby Holland Hanton, in March. Pete, meanwhile, has been single for a while, but lists TOWIE's Jess Wright, Megan McKenna and Shelby Tribble among his famous exes.
It’s not the first time the pair are said to have been kissing either, after they were pictured sharing a peck over lunch in London this summer. Maura even poked fun at the rumours on Instagram at the time, and this week posted a TikTok video showing off her impressive dance moves with Pete. Naturally, the comment section was full of fans asking if the pair were together or suggesting that Maura would be ‘perfect’ for Pete.
Despite all this, Pete and Maura are still insisting they’re single (for now, at least). Here’s everything we know…
Are Pete Wicks and Maura Higgins dating?
It was actually last year’s Pride of Britain Awards when Pete and Maura were seen getting close and deep in conversation. Then, this summer, the couple were photographed dining al fresco at the Broadwick Soho Hotel, during which they shared a kiss in public. Passersby reported at the time that Pete seemed to be reformed from his lothario days, and had his arm around Maura and kissed her in a way that didn’t suggest they were just friends.
Maura poked fun at the rumours when attending a live show of Pete and his best mate Sam Thompson’s Staying Relevant podcast. Posing backstage with Made in Chelsea star Sam, Irish beauty Maura wore a t-shirt with a picture of her and Pete kissing, along with the words, ‘We can’t be friends’. An Ariana Grande reference, or a surefire sign they’re dating? We’ll never know.
What have Pete Wicks and Maura Higgins said about dating rumours?
On the Pride of Britain Awards red carpet, Pete insisted that he was single. He was recently grilled on the rumoured romance by another Love Island star, Grazia's resident agony aunt Olivia Attwood, on the So Wrong It’s Right podcast. ‘Maura Higgins, Love Island alumni. What’s the truth there? Come on, Pete. Tell me what’s going on. You’ve had a kiss?’ she asked him, with Pete coyly responding, ‘Me and Maura have known each other for a long time.’
Speaking for the nation, Olivia pushed him for the ‘backstory’, adding, ‘You’ve had a kiss. We’ve seen it.’ Pete somehow denied this, saying, ‘You haven’t seen it.’ He did, however, say that Maura was ‘lovely’ and ‘attractive’. ‘I think Maura is great and we get on very well and we have done for a very long time,’ he said. Pete did deny that they were dating, to which Olivia responded, ‘I think you’re lying, actually.’ The mystery continues!