Maura Higgins: Love Island Fame, Pete Wicks & Latest News

Maura Higgins built a career on saying exactly what’s on her mind — first on Love Island and now in tabloid headlines where her relationship with Pete Wicks became its own reality show. Here’s what we know about her rise, her romantic timeline, and where things stand right now.

Born: 25 November 1990 ·
From: Ballymahon, County Longford, Ireland ·
Instagram followers: 4 million ·
Famous for: Love Island season 5 (2019) ·
Current relationship status: Unconfirmed (linked to Pete Wicks)

The pattern in these categories is clear: confirmed facts about Maura are publicly documented, while the unknowns keep the narrative looping.

How did Maura Higgins get so famous?

Maura Higgins stepped onto Love Island in 2019 during the show’s fifth series and quickly became one of its most memorable contestants. Her unfiltered one-liners, including the now-iconic “I’m not a doormat,” turned her into a fan favorite overnight. She finished as a finalist with Curtis Pritchard, but her real prize was the platform it gave her — modeling contracts, television appearances, and a social media following that now sits at around 4 million on Instagram alone (Wikipedia).

After the villa, Maura appeared on Dancing with the Stars in the United States during season 35 and built a career as a television presenter. Unlike many reality stars who fade after their season airs, she leveraged her Irish charm and direct communication style into something more durable — a public persona that keeps the media cycle turning.

Maura’s fame isn’t about one show. It’s about recognizing that the real performance begins after the cameras stop rolling. Her career reflects a strategy of constant visibility — and it’s working.

Who is Maura Higgins ex of 9 years?

Maura has occasionally mentioned a past relationship that lasted nine years, but she has never publicly named the person. In interviews, she has described the relationship as formative, noting that it ended before her Love Island appearance. The identity of her ex remains one of the most persistent unanswered questions among fans.

Speculation online has pointed to various names, but no credible source — including Maura herself — has confirmed who he is. The secrecy has fueled curiosity, especially given her high-profile dating rumors since.

The implication: Maura controls the narrative by choosing what to share. By keeping the 9-year relationship private, she maintains a layer of mystery that keeps fans guessing — and keeps them clicking.

Is Maura Higgins in a relationship now?

As of early 2025, Maura Higgins has been publicly linked to Pete Wicks, the The Only Way Is Essex star. The two were first photographed kissing in London in August 2024, according to Grazia (women’s lifestyle magazine). Neither ever formally confirmed a relationship, but the media treated them as a couple throughout late 2024.

By January 2025, Pete Wicks spoke about Maura on the podcast “We Need To Talk” and described her as “super intelligent” with the same sense of humor as him (People (celebrity news magazine)). He also said they had known each other for six years, suggesting a friendship that evolved into something more.

The pattern: A romance that thrived in ambiguity — until it didn’t. For both Maura and Pete, the lack of formal confirmation gave them room to walk away without a public breakup statement.

Are Maura Higgins and Pete Wicks still together?

Multiple reports from February 2025 suggest the couple split after a series of arguments. Heart (UK radio station) reported on February 14, 2025, that the pair had separated, with an insider saying they were “better off as friends.” The report described the breakup as the end of a relationship that had never been formally confirmed.

People (celebrity news magazine) added that on Valentine’s Day 2025, Maura told a photographer that Pete was “probably cheating” when asked where he was — a remark interpreted as either a joke or a hint at the cause of the split.

By Metro (UK newspaper) reported that Pete Wicks was believed to be dating a new Love Island contestant, signaling a definitive end to the Maura chapter.

Why did Pete Wicks and Maura split?

The reasons cited by tabloid insiders include busy schedules, distance, and “explosive rows.” An insider told Heart (UK radio station) that the pair simply realized they were not compatible long-term. Neither Maura nor Pete has publicly addressed the breakup in detail.

What this means: For celebrities in the public eye, relationships are negotiated under a microscope. Privacy becomes almost impossible, and every argument becomes a headline.

Is Maura Higgins a smoker?

There is no public evidence that Maura Higgins smokes. Some fans have speculated based on photographs, but she has never addressed the topic in interviews or on social media. Without confirmation from Maura herself or a credible source, this remains an unverified rumor.

The pattern: In the absence of official information, the internet fills the gap with assumptions. Not every photo tells the story fans think it does.

Timeline

1. 25 November 1990: Born in Ballymahon, County Longford, Ireland (Wikipedia)
2. 2019: Appeared on Love Island UK season 5, achieving fame as a finalist
3. 2022: Participated in Dancing with the Stars season 35 in the US
4. August 2024: Publicly linked to Pete Wicks after being photographed kissing in London (Grazia)
5. 20 January 2025: Pete Wicks discusses Maura on “We Need To Talk” podcast (People)
6. 14 February 2025: Reports of split after arguments (Heart)
7. 28 April 2025: Pete Wicks reportedly dating another Love Island contestant (Metro)

What this means: The timeline shows a relationship that burned bright but collapsed quickly. For fans, the lesson is that celebrity romances in the media cycle often move faster than real-life relationships can sustain.

Frequently asked questions

Maura Higgins navigated fame, speculation, and a very public relationship without ever ceding control of her narrative. The more the media demands answers, the more she lets the questions linger. For her fans, the choice is between accepting the mystery or chasing rumors that lead nowhere.