Pete Wicks puts on a very flirtatious display with rumored love interest Maura Higgins as they toast his success on Strictly, a day after ‘kissing’ his dance partner Jowita Przystał.

Pete Wicks was spotted putting on a very flirtatious display with rumored love interest Maura Higgins on Sunday night.

While the TOWIE legend, 36, was first linked to Love Island star Maura, 33, he recently sparked romance rumors with his Strictly partner Jowita Przystal in August.

In fact, just hours before his cozy outing with Maura, he sent fans into a frenzy. when he appeared kissing Jowita during his passionate American Smooth on Saturday’s live show.

However, on Sunday he was back in Maura’s arms as they enjoyed a night out at The Ship in Wandsworth alongside their Strictly friends after spending the next week.

One viewer exclusively told MailOnline that the pair were inseparable, whispering in each other’s ears and even locking their legs together as they enjoyed a drink alongside Wynne Evans, Tom Dean and Jamie Borthwick.

The witness shared: “They were on top of each other, I was surprised to see them so close because I thought he had real chemistry with Jowita.

“At one point, they were basically straddling each other and didn’t seem to care at all that people could see them.

‘You’d think Pete would be more worried about Tom given he’d just been kicked off Strictly but he only had eyes for Maura all night!’

MailOnline has contacted Maura and Pete’s representatives for comment.

Romance rumors between the reality stars began to surface last month when they were photographed kissing outside the Broadwick Soho Hotel.

However, Maura poked fun at the reports earlier this month while supporting him on his Staying Relevant podcast tour.

Maura donned a personalized t-shirt that featured a picture of the kiss and the words “We can’t be friends” written in block letters across the front of her chest.

She posed with an arm around Pete’s best friend Sam Thompson in the snap, which she captioned: “Hilarious night… you destroyed it @samthompson @stayingrelevantpodcast.”

It is not the first time that Maura and Pete have had a romantic relationship.

Last year, the couple were filmed getting cozy at Grosvenor House in London.

In the clip, recorded in October 2023, Maura and Pete huddled together in the corner of a room, apparently taking selfies with Maura’s phone.

They were seen gazing into each other’s eyes during what appeared to be a deep conversation, with Maura flashing a big smile at the reality star as she waved her arms during the chat.

Their meeting happened a year before Maura, who split from her boyfriend, American stuntman Bobby Holland Hanton, earlier this year, put her arms around Pete’s neck and kissed him during their recent romantic lunch together.

In recent weeks, Pete has been linked to dancer Jowita.

Pete was spotted getting very cozy with the Polish beauty at the National Television Awards earlier this month.

In fact, their intimate conversations led the other guests to talk that they might strike up a romance during this year’s series.

The long-haired lothario, who previously dated Megan McKenna, Chloe Sims and Ella Rae Wise, was spotted with Jowita afterwards in a hallway at London’s O2 Arena where the star-studded ceremony took place.

One viewer said: ‘Pete was admiring Jowita’s outfits and told her she looked stunning. They were immersed in a conversation and both approached. It got people talking and wondering if there might be a Strictly Romance this year after all.

“There was a lot of affection between the couple. He was whispering in her ear, which really made her smile.

‘At one point Pete placed a protective hand on Jowita’s shoulder, it all seemed very loving.

“They have clearly formed a very close bond during their time on Strictly.”

Last week, Pete’s best friend Sam fueled the rumors when he said the TOWIE star was “in love” with his professional dance partner.

Her podcast co-host revealed that she believes the two are in love and that the reality TV star “cares about her a lot.”

Appearing on Friday’s This Morning, Sam was quizzed about his relationship by the show’s hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary.

The host said, “I think they’re in love,” but quickly added that he actually believes their relationship is “platonic.”

Sam added: “He cares so much about her, the way he looks at her, I’ve never seen it before.”

“I just want to see him happy, he’s one of the best people I know.”

On Saturday night, fans dubbed them the “fittest couple ever” after they hit the floor for a sultry American Smooth in which Pete pulled Jowita close and their lips were just millimeters apart. .

The dance also ended with them leaning in for a kiss before the lights went out, and although it looked choreographed, some viewers were sure a real romance was brewing between the couple.

Judge Motsi Mabuse even spotted their connection, saying: “I think you two had such a beautiful, flirty, romantic atmosphere, and I believed it was authentic.”

Their routine saw them score 22 out of a possible 40 and they finished in 10th place in the standings along with Nick Knowles.