By Kiera Howard 
“Probably cheating.” Those two cutting words from Maura Higgins to a pap on Valentine’s Day 2025 put the final nail in the coffin of what the tabs had dubbed the hottest reality TV hook-up of the year.
The Pete Wicks and Maura Higgins story dominated showbiz columns for months. From secret snogs to public rows, their relationship gave us the full celeb romance rollercoaster before crashing in spectacular fashion.
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Reality Royalty Collides
Pete Wicks made his name as TOWIE’s tattooed lothario with a notorious little black book that kept Essex gossip flowing for years. OneMoneyWay described him as a “reality TV sensation” who drew viewers in with his unfiltered charm.
In the other corner, Maura Higgins burst onto screens as Love Island’s no-filter firecracker in 2019. The Irish beauty quickly became TV gold, bagging spots on Dancing on Ice, Glow Up Ireland, and I’m a Celebrity with her straight-talking style.
When these two reality heavyweights got together, showbiz editors practically rubbed their hands with glee.
Mates to Dates
Unlike the typical showmance that fizzles after a fortnight, Pete and Maura’s story had proper foundation. The pair had been solid mates for six years before romance bloomed.
“We’ve known each other for about six years. We’ve always got on really well and always just been friends,” Pete told Paul Brunson’s “We Need To Talk” podcast.
Maura shared similar thoughts: “The minute me and Pete met, it was just instant. We have so much in common, especially our humour.”
Everything changed in August 2024 when snappers caught them snogging outside London’s Broadwick Soho Hotel. Just like that, the friendship zone was officially exited.
Maura ramped up the rumour mill with a saucy Insta comment under Pete’s Strictly Come Dancing announcement. Capital FM spotted her writing: “I know what those hips can do. Proud of you.” Pete’s heart emoji reply sent fans into meltdown.
From Whispers to Roars
By October, the pair weren’t even trying to hide it. At the Pride of Britain Awards after-party, onlookers spotted them practically glued together, with one witness telling reporters they were “basically straddling each other” without a care who saw.
Their TikTok together got millions of eyeballs, with Pete pulling Maura close in what nobody was buying as “just mates” behaviour.
As Pete showed off his moves on Strictly and Maura roughed it in the I’m A Celeb jungle, viewers couldn’t get enough of their blossoming romance.
In the jungle, Maura dropped major hints during a chat with Reverend Richard Coles: “I’ve been seeing someone before coming in here.” Asked if they were exclusive, she giggled: “I dunno, I dunno. I don’t know the rules.”
Pete played the supportive almost-boyfriend role perfectly, posting on his Stories: “Vote for our girl @maurahiggins. She’s absolutely smashing it!”
The pair reportedly spent Christmas at Glasson Lakehouse in Ireland, with Pete posting a rare couple snap captioned simply “Happy” with a heart. For the usually private Essex lad, this was practically an engagement announcement.
Keeping It Cagey
Despite being papped snogging more times than you could count, both stars became masters of the “are they, aren’t they” game that keeps celebs in the headlines.
Pete stuck to vague statements, telling The Independent: “We’re very, very close and have been for many years,” while praising Maura as “super intelligent” and “incredibly witty.”
Maura gave the tabs just enough to work with, telling Mail Online: “We’ve been friends for years. Of course people are going to talk when they see us together, but that’s all I’m saying for now.”
Her appearance on Loose Women became a masterclass in question-dodging. When Katie Piper tried to pin her down about Pete, Maura batted it away with: “No, did I say that? I know what you’re doing! No, I never said anything, next question!”
It reminded telly fans of how other big UK reality stars like Stacey Solomon have perfected the art of sharing just enough of their personal lives to keep fans interested while keeping some things sacred.
V-Day Disaster
The carefully crafted couple image came crashing down around Valentine’s Day 2025, with rival camps giving completely different accounts of what went wrong.
The Mirror claimed Maura found dodgy messages from other women on Pete’s phone. When paps spotted her on Valentine’s Day and asked where Pete was, she fired back with her now-famous “Dunno, probably cheating” zinger.
She twisted the knife on social media, posting roses she’d bought herself with: “Roses are red, violets are blue, self-love is the best love, that much is true.”
Team Pete wasted no time hitting back. GB News reported sources close to the TOWIE star were fuming about the cheating claims. Insiders insisted the messages were “simply innocent communication” and that Pete had been working overtime to shake off his player reputation.
Heart Radio’s sources painted a less dramatic picture, suggesting the split came after “a few clashes” between “two strong personalities who know what they want.”
Shots Fired
Post-split, the pair traded subtle digs rather than full-on war.
On his “Staying Relevant” podcast with Sam Thompson, Pete was asked what he’d banish from the world if he could. His answer? “Erm, Love Island.” Sam’s reaction said it all: “Wow, that’s so aggressive!” followed by shocked laughter.
Maura kept it classy in her Times interview, simply admitting to having “terrible taste in men” while focusing on her independence: “I don’t feel like I need a man. But I’ll date, and I’ll see where something goes.”
Box Office Romance
The Pete and Maura show pulled in viewers for good reason.
They bridged two massive reality TV fandoms, bringing TOWIE and Love Island devotees together. Their genuine friendship turning romantic felt refreshingly real in the fake world of celebrity hookups.
OK! Magazine even tipped them as potentially the “next Posh and Becks,” setting expectations sky-high.
The will-they-won’t-they game kept everyone guessing, while their Valentine’s bust-up gave gossip columnists the dramatic finale they’d been hoping for.
FAQs About Pete Wicks and Maura Higgins
How long were Pete Wicks and Maura Higgins together?
Their romance lasted about 6 months, from that first snog in August 2024 until their February 2025 split. Neither ever actually confirmed they were official, mind you.
Did Pete Wicks cheat on Maura Higgins?
The Mirror reported Maura’s “probably cheating” comment, but Pete’s camp told GB News this was rubbish, claiming the messages were totally innocent. The jury’s still out on this one.
What were their most telling social media moments?
Pete’s Christmas snap from Glasson Lakehouse with that simple “Happy” caption and heart emoji spoke volumes. Maura’s cheeky Strictly comment and her Valentine’s Day self-love roses post bookended their public romance perfectly.
What did Maura say in the jungle about Pete?
She never dropped Pete’s name, but admitted to “seeing someone” and feeling “different this time.” When pushed about exclusivity, she went all coy and mentioned being papped snogging someone without realizing.
From friendship to front-page snogs to that brutal Valentine’s fallout, the Pete Wicks and Maura Higgins romance rumours gave us one of the juiciest celeb stories the UK reality scene has served up in years.