Maura Higgins and Pete Wicks looked completely in love as they loaded up a car with suitcases to head out on a festive “getaway” together on Monday.
The former Love Islander, 34, and podcaster, 36, couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces as they headed out to spend their first Christmas season together.
After Pete’s successful stint on Strictly Come Dancing and Maura’s time Down Under for I’m A Celeb, the new reality TV couple has plenty to celebrate.
Maura seemed to be on cloud nine as she looked at her new boyfriend, who put on an equally animated display.
The reality star looked effortlessly chic in white sweatpants and a gray crop top, showing off a glimpse of her toned stomach.
She opted for comfort with a pair of black boots and threw on a cropped zip-up sweatshirt to complete her look.
Maura Higgins and Pete Wicks looked completely in love as they loaded up a car with suitcases to head out on a festive ‘getaway’ together on Monday.
The former Love Islander, 34, and podcaster, 36, couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces as they headed out to spend their first Christmas season together.
Maura carried her Alo leather jacket, which retails for £240, with her as they loaded the car.
She carried her belongings in a brown leather bag and carried the rest of her essentials in a Louis Vuitton suitcase and a larger white case, which she had adorned with stickers.
The I’m A Celeb favorite wore her hair in tight, bouncy curls and opted for a minimalist, bright makeup palette to enhance her natural beauty.
Meanwhile, Pete looked equally fashionable in a black and white printed jacket paired with black track pants and a pair of sneakers.
He accessorized with a black hat as he loaded his and Maura’s luggage into the striking white car.
At one point, the Strictly star burst out laughing as the happy new couple shared a joke as they prepared to leave.
Just hours after returning to the UK following their time on I’m A Celeb, Maura and Pete reunited following weeks of speculation about their romance.
The couple posed for a photo together at a London hotel, cuddling with a group of friends as they celebrated Maura’s return home from her month-long trip to Australia.
Maura had landed at London’s Heathrow Airport just hours earlier, but was obviously keen to catch up with Strictly star Pete as soon as possible.
Maura seemed to be on cloud nine as she looked at her new boyfriend, who put on an equally animated display.
After Pete’s successful stint on Strictly Come Dancing and Maura’s time Down Under for I’m A Celeb, the new reality TV couple has plenty to celebrate.
Pete looked equally fashionable in a black and white printed jacket paired with black track pants and a pair of sneakers.
A beaming Maura reposted her friend’s mirror selfie to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday night, with the group of friends surrounded by jungle-themed balloons.
During her time in the jungle, Maura seemingly confirmed that she was dating Pete after they were spotted kissing just weeks before she flew to Australia.
When asked by former Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse if she was single, Maura replied: “I am, but I was dating someone before I came in, but I’m not in a relationship.”
The Reverend Richard Coles, a founding member of the ’80s synth-pop group The Communards, then asked: “Was it exclusive?” Or if I’ve put you in trouble, I’m sorry!’, to which she responded after a long pause: ‘I don’t know.’
Maura also revealed that the couple had known each other longer than fans might expect and said Pete had pursued her relentlessly.
“Yes, we’ve known each other for five years, and we’ve never…” he told Oti.
“He would always say, ‘Oh no, we’re going on a date somewhere.’ And I’d say, ‘We’re not really.’ And I was very serious, ‘We’re not, really.’ “You’re delusional.”
Appearing on This Morning following her elimination from the show, she shared her excitement at potentially seeing Pete upon her return to the UK and admitted that he had encouraged her decision to head into the jungle.
Just hours after returning to the UK following her stint on I’m A Celeb, Maura and Pete reunited following weeks of speculation about their romance.
During her time on the ITV show, former Love Islander Maura, 34, revealed she had been dating Pete, 36, before heading into the jungle (pictured in May).
Maura returned to London earlier this month after a three-week stay in Australia to watch the latest series of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
She said: ‘Honestly, he’s been so supportive. “I didn’t know if he was still on Strictly, I’m so proud of him and he’s proud of me and I can’t wait to see him.”
When asked why he finally changed his mind, Maura explained: “He wouldn’t give up. And then I was like, “Oh, okay.”
“I brought my friends with me and I was like, ‘Look, it’s a friendship date.’ And then the next time I went, it was just me.
Recounting their first date, he admitted that no expense was spared, noting: ‘We went out for oysters and wine. Yes, let’s go. It was super nice.’
As for their chemistry, Maura joked: “Yeah, very funny.” We simply communicate 24/7. We have the same humor.
During his time on Strictly Pete showed that he still had Maura on his mind when he reposted Maura’s Instagram, which was run by her friends and family while she was in Australia, and urged people to vote for her.
He joked: “I’ve been George de la Selva but now it’s time to vote for Maura de la Selva.”
The Mail on Sunday previously revealed that Pete ended his romantic relationship with fellow Strictly star Jowita Przystal because he is determined to win Maura’s heart.
The former Love Islander will have plenty of time to catch up with Pete, who missed out on a place in the Strictly Come Dancing final.
Sources close to Pete say he is telling friends that he is completely in love with the jungle star who he has been casually dating for the past five months.
When Strictly started and she met Jowita, Maura lost any hope of the relationship continuing.
A friend said: ‘Before Maura entered the jungle, Pete wanted their relationship to be exclusive.
‘But Maura, aware of Pete’s reputation and his close bond with Jowita, decided to slow things down.
“She gave him an ultimatum: either he committed to her or he let it go. So she left as a single woman.
“Since then, Pete has gone above and beyond and openly expressed his feelings to anyone who will listen.”