Strictly Pete Wicks shares true feelings for Jowita hours before Maura's IAC confession

Pete Wicks and Jowita have had a close bond on the show (Image: BBC)

Pete Wicks, the former Towie star, has shared his praise on his Strictly Come Dancing partner Jowita Przystal. This comes just hours before Maura Higgins, the ex-Love Islander, spilled the beans about their relationship on I'm A Celebrity.

Pete, 36, and Maura, 34, have been discreet about their relationship for several months, with only a few sightings of them on dates around London. However, Maura let the cat out of the bag on last night's I'm A Celeb, revealing she was seeing 'someone special.

' Over the past few weeks, fans have been speculating whether Pete is dating Maura or his dance partner Jowita, with whom he seems to have formed a close bond. The pair were seen embracing each other on the BBC results show on Sunday night after being saved by the public.

Shortly afterwards, Pete took to social media to express his heartfelt appreciation for his dance partner, writing: " I've been struggling to think of what to say and it's not often I'm lost for words."

Maura Higgins and Pete Wicks were rumoured to be dating (Image: Tik Tok)

"I am so overwhelmed and blessed to have had your support over the past 3 months, I never expected it and I have never taken it for granted. The belief you guys have had in me has been incredible and at times I'm not sure I've deserved it.

"I've said it before but no amount of words will ever be able to repay what you have given me. People talk about the "journey" and let me tell you, this isn't my journey at all. It's our journey. Jowita, you and I have all been on this wild ride and I wouldn't have it any other way! ", reports the Mirror.

"I literally have no idea how I'm gonna get through next week but I can guarantee you I'll be giving it my all. Thank you," he concluded, adding a love heart emoji to his heartfelt sentiment. Hours afterward, Maura Higgins clarified her relationship status in a candid discussion with Reverend Richard Coles.

STRICT EMBARGO - NOT FOR USE BEFORE 22:30 GMT, 01 Dec 2024 - EDITORIAL USE ONLYMandatory Credit: Photo by ITV/REX/Shutterstock (14959929ag)Challenge, Silent Letters - Maura Higgins'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!' TV show, Series 24, Australia - 01 Dec 2024 (Image: ITV)

The Love Island sensation has been roughing it out in the Australian wilderness alongside fellow campmates such as Danny Jones, GK Barry, Oti Mabuse, Coleen Rooney, and others. In a revealing segment on the popular ITV show, Dean, Maura, and a couple of others opened up about their romantic lives amid the ongoing speculation.

Whispers have been rife for months about Maura's supposed romance with Strictly alumnus Pete Wicks, although she has consistently maintained her singlehood. Gathered around the campfire, Dean divulged details about his love life, sharing: "I've been seeing someone since July, but we're not boyfriends, we're just dating. The first thing I messaged him before I came in here was 'I adore you.' "He elaborated further, expressing: "He fills me with so much joy because he's just a vibe."

Eager to know more, Oti probed Maura about her own status, leading the TV reality phenomenon to assert: "I am but I was seeing someone before I came in but I'm not in a relationship."

Amidst the fireside chat, Reverend Richard jumped in with a query about exclusivity, promptly apologising for potentially making her uncomfortable.

Maura Higgins stirred intrigue when pondering on her feelings, admitting with a hint of mystery: "I dunno."

Dean pushed further, questioning if the person in question was a familiar face, to which Maura’s coy response was simply: "Yeah..." Upon being asked whether she felt longing while in the jungle, she conceded, yet Maura maintains she's never experienced true love. Richard Arnold shared a poignant memory of seeking his late partner David in a throng, revealing the flutter of his heart, eliciting understanding from Dean who confessed: "I know that feeling."