Love Island star Maura Higgins had previously discussed her relationship status in the Australian jungle during her I’m A Celebrity stint.

Maura Higgins has addressed rumours surrounding her reported ‘romance’ with Pete Wicks, neither confirming nor denying that she is dating the Strictly Come Dancing star.

The Love Island finalist previously discussed her relationship status in the Australian jungle during her I’m A Celebrity stint. There had been reports that she was dating Pete prior to her going on the ITV show.

Speaking exclusively to The Times, she was asked whether she had ‘terrible taste in men’ and if she ‘wants to be in love.’ She said ‘yes’ to both questions and that being in love ‘would be lovely.’

When asked about Pete Wicks, she simply said: “I’m happy right now.” She was then quizzed about the tabloids reporting rumours about her dating the Strictly Come Dancing contestant.

Maura added: “I don’t feel like I need a man. But I’ll date, and I’ll see where something goes, and if it happens, it happens.”

Maura and Pete are rumoured to be dating, according to reports (Image: Getty)

When Maura was in the Australian jungle, she shrugged off speculation and insisted: “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?”

However, she also admitted that she and Pete had been “papped [with their] tongues down each other’s necks”. The duo have been friends for five years, as they knew each other from the entertainment world.

Pete recently got to the semi-finals of Strictly Come Dancing (Image: Getty)

Maura, who shot to fame as a Love Island finalist back in 2019, had first encountered Pete the year that he was on Celebs Go Dating, suggesting that he was ready to meet someone.

She also admitted in the Australian jungle that Pete started to pursue her, and despite her labelling him “delusional”, he “wouldn’t give up” – so she decided to give him it a shot.

Express Online have previously contacted Pete and Maura for comment.