Maura Higgins all smiles in loved-up display with Strictly's Pete Wicks

Love Island legend Maura Higgins couldn't contain her excitement as her boyfriend Pete Wicks arrived at her lavish home to celebrate his recent birthday

Maura Higgins showered her boyfriend Pete Wicks with affection as he arrived at her home.

The 33-year-old Love Island star has been linked to The Only Way Is Essex star Pete, 36, for the past few weeks - with a love triangle forming thanks to rumours he has also fallen for his Strictly Come Dancing professional dance partner Jowita Przystał, 30. But it seems Maura and Pete's romance is the real deal as images have emerged showing them looking blissfully happy in each others' company.

The images emerged as Pete celebrated his latest birthday - with his Love Island lover looking thrilled as they embraced one another outside of her home. She had a winning smile stretched across her face and swinging designer bags in her hands. Pete, meanwhile, looked content himself as he hopped into the back of a car wearing a sleek black outfit.

Maura and Pete confirmed their relationship last month as they were spotted smooching outside East London restaurant Gloria at the end of a romantic meal. However, the couple are due to be torn apart in the weeks ahead - as Maura is tipped to jet to Australia to participate in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

The latest images of Pete and Maura looking happy together have been shared by The Sun - who have also quoted a source discussing Maura's plans to head to the jungle. The mole said: "With Tommy Fury pulling out it gave show bosses the opportunity to look at other Love Island stars and Maura stood out as the perfect candidate. She'll bringing a bit of glamour to the jungle and make a brilliant campmate because she's got a great sense of humour and is bound to get on with everyone."

Pete, meanwhile, is continuing to compete on Strictly - but fans fear he would be at risk after his Saturday night performance when he dressed up as Freddie Mercury for Icons week. After noticing he appeared to forget his dance moves, one fan wrote: "I felt like he never truly got out of the 2nd gear which that fumble didn't really help him and probably knocked his confidence." Alongside a crying emoji, one fan wrote: "Ohhhh Pete. He did a great job at being freddie tho."

After the judges' comments, Pete spoke to host Claudia Winkleman about his Queen performance, and said: "It was an definitly an honour, I think it's an ironic song for me tonight, another one bites the dust." The judges then shared their scores as Pete and Jowita received 22 points. However, some Strictly fans jumped to Pete's defence, with one person writing on X: "Still a weird song choice for a Salsa. But Pete looks SENSATIONAL as Freddie Mercury! #Strictly." And another viewer wrote: "Tough song for a salsa, he picked himself back up after the mistakes, but I feel Pete could be in the dance off this week."

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