Home Entertainment Maura Higgins’ exes are set to cash in on her I’m A Celeb success – as THREE lovers past and present appear on hit shows all at once

Maura Higgins’ exes are set to cash in on her I’m A Celeb success – as THREE lovers past and present appear on hit shows all at once

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Maura Higgins caused a sensation when she entered the Love Island villa like a bombshell in 2019, cementing herself as reality TV royalty - but has her stardom helped propel her exes to primetime success?

Maura Higgins caused a sensation when she entered the Love Island villa like a bombshell in 2019, cementing herself as reality TV royalty.

The Irish beauty’s rise to fame saw her compete on last year’s I’m A Celeb, where she won the hearts of the nation, as well as attracting the attention of TV bosses.

Their time in the jungle coincided with TOWIE star Pete Wicks’ season of Strictly Come Dancing, as rumors of a romance between the pair circulated.

Maura wasn’t shy about talking about Pete while on the ITV show and it was even suggested the pair spent their first Christmas together.

But as they look set to become British TV’s next power couple, Maura’s exes could be hot on their heels and ready to take center stage.

With Curtis Pritchard returning to screens next week for Love Island: All Stars and Chris Taylor taking to the floor in Dancing On Ice, has Maura’s stardom helped propel her exes to primetime success?

Maura Higgins caused a sensation when she entered the Love Island villa like a bombshell in 2019, cementing herself as reality TV royalty – but has her stardom helped propel her exes to primetime success?

Curtis Pritchard (2019-2020)

Maura, 34, and professional dancer Curtis, 28, first connected on series five of the original Love Island back in 2019, where they finished fourth together.

Despite their initial spark, the romance failed and they separated just eight months later amid rumors of infidelity on both sides, accusations that both denied.

Curtis has enjoyed a variety of television appearances over the years, including as a guest choreographer on Drag Race UK, starring in a documentary series called The Boxer and The Ballroom Dancer with Tommy Fury, playing a receptionist on The Greatest Dancer on the BBC and competing on The UK Challenge.

And now she will return to British screens next week in the second series of Love Island All Stars.

But his foray into acting was not so successful when,In 2021, he and his brother AJ played twins Marco and Jacob in Hollyoaks.

In February of that year it was announced that the brothers would join the cast of Hollyoaks as twins who help open a dance school on the soap.

Her scenes soon went viral due to her ‘stiff’ acting. YoIn particular, Curtis’s line, ‘How’s Trish?’, was mocked by viewers who were unsure whether the brothers were plotting to murder longtime character Trish Minniver or throwing her a surprise party. .

Maura, 34, and professional dancer Curtis, 28, first connected on the fifth series of the original Love Island back in 2019, where they finished fourth together.

Maura, 34, and professional dancer Curtis, 28, first connected on the fifth series of the original Love Island back in 2019, where they finished fourth together.

Maura is said to be “worried” that her Curtis may reveal secrets about their past relationship during her appearance on the upcoming Love Island All Stars.

A source said the sun: ‘Curtis’ signing for All Stars is more than uncomfortable for Maura just when she has fallen in love with Pete and they have finally made their love public.

‘Her breakup with Curtis wasn’t the best and Maura always worried that he was the ex who could talk.

‘It’s also not ideal when you’re hoping to develop your I’m a Celebrity profile and advance your career.

“Love Island bosses are in the process of confirming the Islanders will be launching the January show and Curtis may not be in that line-up, but he is in the cast of bombshells who will land later in the series.”

Curtis will now return to British screens next week in the second series of Love Island All Stars.

Curtis will now return to British screens next week in the second series of Love Island All Stars.

Maura took to social media at the time to explain that their split had been a joint decision by the couple to separate.

She said: ‘Curtis and I have made the decision to separate. We enjoyed a great experience during our time at the villa and we want to thank everyone for supporting our relationship.

‘There is no easy way to get over a breakup and there are no bad feelings on either side. “We tried to make it work, but it didn’t and I wish Curtis nothing but the best for the future.”

Chris Taylor (2020-2021)

Maura and Chris met on the 2019 series of Love Island but did not reunite in the villa due to the Irish beauty’s romance with Curtis.

Their friendship blossomed in the months following Maura and the dancer’s split, and the duo went public with their romance in November 2021 after months of secrecy.

But Maura and Chris split just six months later in May 2021, claiming they were better as friends.

While Chris hasn’t made a girlfriend public since Maura, the star’s career has gone from strength to strength, and he even landed a role in the 2023 film Barbie thanks to Oscar winner Margot Robbie’s fascination with Love Island.

The TikTok star played one of multiple Kens alongside the likes of Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa and Simu Liu, as well as Ryan Gosling in the lead role.

Margot, who hosted a Love Island-themed party to celebrate turning 30, met Chris at a movie premiere after-party where the two got to know each other better and she expressed her affection for the show.

Maura and Chris met on the 2019 series of Love Island but did not get together in the villa due to the Irish beauty's romance with Curtis.

Maura and Chris met on the 2019 series of Love Island but did not get together in the villa due to the Irish beauty’s romance with Curtis.

A year later, Chris was approached to appear in Barbie and then attended the star-studded European premiere in London with A-list guests including Dua Lipa, America Ferrera and Sam Smith.

As well as his hit film, Chris has also appeared regularly on television in the years since he met Maura on the ITV dating show.

Just a few months after leaving the villa, Chris landed a role in a Love Island special episode of Supermarket Sweep, and the following year he starred in Dinner Date.

Also in 2020, Chris starred in the MTV series Living The Dream, which focused on the reality star and her Love Island co-stars, Michael Griffiths, Danny Williams and Jordan Hames, moving in together.

In the months following her Barbie cameo, Chris returned to screens in January 2024 in the first series of Love Island All Stars. That summer she joined Celebs Go Dating in yet another search for love.

And after a hiatus for the last six months, Chris will return to primetime television to compete on this year’s series of Dancing On Ice.

And after a hiatus for the past six months, Chris will return to primetime television to compete on this year's series of Dancing On Ice.

And after a hiatus for the last six months, Chris will return to primetime television to compete on this year’s series of Dancing On Ice.

Announcing her split from Chris in May 2021, the Irish beauty wrote: “It breaks my heart to even write this but I wanted to let everyone know that Chris and I have made the joint decision to end our relationship…

‘There is nothing wrong with either party…we still love, care and respect each other deeply.

‘From the moment we met we have been very close friends and that will never change. There is no need to regret it, life is about taking risks.

‘We wanted this to work, but we’ve realized that we work better if we’re friends. While I appreciate that people can speculate or create false stories, this is the truth.

‘I wish Chris nothing but the best and I will always be one of his biggest fans. Thank you for all the love and support.”

Pete Wicks (2024-present)

Maura and Pete Wicks were the talk of TV before Christmas when rumors emerged about a romance between them – all while she was on I’m A Celeb and he was on Strictly.

The pair have become something of a powerhouse, after Maura’s appearance on I’m A Celeb received rave reviews and Pete’s huge fan base took him to the Strictly semi-finals.

The Irish star may have met her match in Pete, who also has a blossoming career much like her.

Pete’s television career began in 2015 when he joined the cast of The Only Way Is Essex, and he became a story trailblazer as a result of his relationship with Megan Mckenna.

Maura and Pete Wicks were the talk of TV before Christmas when rumors emerged about a romance between them - all while she was on I'm A Celeb and he was on Strictly.

Maura and Pete Wicks were the talk of TV before Christmas when rumors emerged about a romance between them – all while she was on I’m A Celeb and he was on Strictly.

His foray into other reality shows came three years later, when he competed as a contestant on Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls in 2018, followed by spots like Celebrity MasterChef, The Celebrity Circle, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, too. like appearing on Celeb’s Go Dating three separate times.

And Pete has also co-hosted the Staying Relevant podcast with his best friend Sam Thompson since 2022, and the pair took him on tour last year.

The reality star also currently stars in his own show, Pete Wicks: For Dog’s Sake.

Pete and Maura were first linked in August and seemingly confirmed their relationship in October while packing on the PDA during a date in London.

But when Pete started Strictly and met his dance partner Jowita Przystal, Maura reportedly lost any hope of the relationship continuing.

And when she was interviewed before going on I’m A Celeb, she left Pete heartbroken by coming out as single.

Pete, however, continued to express his public support for Maura during her time in the jungle, as she became increasingly open throughout the ITV show about their connection.

The reality star also currently stars in his own show, Pete Wicks: For Dog's Sake.

The reality star also currently stars in his own show, Pete Wicks: For Dog’s Sake.

Leaving the jungle, Maura opened up about her romance with Pete during the Coming Out show, which follows this year’s stars in their first moments after leaving the jungle.

Not long after leaving camp behind, Maura wasted no time in questioning her friend Talia about what Pete was up to, asking, “Is Pete still on the show?”

In the car she says: ‘If you’re missing someone, you’re missing someone and she leaves. And I do, I miss it. Yes, I really miss it.’

The pair were quickly reunited when Maura returned to the UK, and were later rumored to have spent Christmas together.

Pete and Maura left fans speculating they had spent Christmas together, after the new couple posted snaps in what looked like the same pub.

The former Love Islander and podcaster were also seen smiling as they loaded luggage into a car together a few days earlier, preparing to head out on a festive getaway.

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