I'm A Celeb's Maura Higgins arrives in the UK - but Pete Wicks is missing from welcome party
I'm A Celebrity star Maura Higgins has arrived back in the UK after her stint on the ITV show - however, Pete Wicks was missing from her welcome party despite the Love Island star confirming their romance while in the jungle. Ahead of her jungle debut, Maura was rumoured to be dating Strictly star Pete and on the show, Maura opened up about their romance.
Speaking to her I’m A Celeb campmates, Maura said: "I was seeing someone before I came in but I’m not in a relationship," before adding that she missed him. Later on in the series, Maura spoke about her first date with the TOWIE star, saying: "He wouldn't give up.
"I actually brought my friends with me and I was like 'See! It is a friendship date.' Then the next time, I went just me...We just die laughing with each other 24/7. We have got the very same humour."
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After coming in seventh place on the ITV show, Maura stayed in Australia for the final before arriving back in the UK on Wednesday 11 December. Wearing leggings, a white hoodie and a pair of sunglasses, Maura was greeted at Heathrow Airport by her friends - however, Pete was not there to greet her after her 23-hour flight from Australia.
Maura seemed to be in good spirits as she headed out of the airport and with Pete no longer on Strictly Come Dancing, having been the latest star to be voted out of the competition, there is plenty of time for the pair to reconnect. After her exit from the jungle last week, Maura spoke to This Morning's Alison Hammond about her relationship with Pete, sheepishly admitting that she "can't wait to see him".
"Do you know what? You do forget about the cameras and I do like to keep things private but let's be real, I said it," Maura said. "I can't remember saying it but I said the words, 'I miss him.' I do miss him - like I missed all my friends and family. He's been so supportive.
"Honestly, I didn't know if he was still in Strictly, I'm so proud of him. He's proud of me and I can't wait to see him."
Earlier this week, Pete opened up about his love life and why he is yet to settle down. Speaking to Olivia Attwood on his podcast with Sam Thompson, Staying Relevant, Pete said that he struggles to hold down a relationship.
"I do feel like I'm now at a different stage of my life. I'm an older man now than when I was younger and a complete p***k," he said, before admitting that he had trouble "keeping" girlfriends. After Olivia suggested that Pete's reluctance to let people in might be the reason for his single status, he added: "It is a little bit of a sad existence. I don't want to die alone."
