Maura Higgins and Pete Wicks pack suitcases and hop into car looking loved up

I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! star, Maura Higgins, and Pete Wicks were seen packing suitcases into a car ahead of their first Christmas together

Maura Higgins couldn't keep the grin off her face when she was papped with boyfriend, Pete Wicks, on Monday.

The I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! campmate, 34, has reunited with the Strictly Come Dancing star, 36, after her stint in the jungle and looked delighted to be spending their first Christmas together.

Maura, sporting white jogging bottoms, a black crop top and Ugg slip-ons, flashed a huge grin for the cameras while Pete, wearing a a black beanie, black joggers and a striking black and white fleece, also cracked a smile.

Seen loading their designer luggage into a waiting Mercedes, the pair appeared to be heading away for the festive season amid rumours that romance is hotting up between the couple.

The reality regulars appeared to be the real deal after Pete's best pal Sam Thompson cheekily "welcomed Maura to the family" when she appeared on I'm A Celebrity spin-off, Unpacked.

Since the former ring girl's return to the UK they have spent lots of time together, though it remains to be seen if they'll be spending December 25 with the Higgins clan in Ireland.

Maura addressed the romance rumours on an appearance of This Morning, telling Alison Hammond: "You do forget about the cameras, and I do like to keep things private, but let's be real, I said it. I can't remember saying it, but I said the words 'I miss him'.

"I do miss him, like I missed all my friends and family. Honestly, he's been so supportive, honestly. I didn't know if he was still in Strictly and I'm so proud of him, he's proud of me, and I can't wait to see him when I get back."

Pete also opened up about the pair's connection recently. While talking to his co-host and best pal Sam on their Staying Relevant podcast, the duo were updating listeners on the latest goings-on in their lives. As Sam shared details of his interview with Maura after she had been voted out of the ITV show, he initially claimed he was not planning to talk about her relationship with Pete on the I'm A Celebrity spin-off show.

He insisted at first that his "loyalty to Pete beats everything," but Pete quickly replied: "It does until the leaving interview, and you say 'welcome to the family', so I guess that one just sort of slipped out did it?"

Speculation first grew about their relationship when Pete and Maura were seen smooching in Soho in August. Sharing an intimate al fresco lunch at the Broadwick Soho Hotel, they enjoyed a passionate kiss in public, not caring who saw.

They locked lips again after the Pride of Britain Awards in October. However, despite the public displays of affection, they did not confirm an official romance.

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