Maura Higgins and Pete Wicks look completely smitten as they load car with suitcases to head on festive ‘getaway’

Maura Higgins and Pete Wicks looked completely smitten as they packed a car full of suitcases to go on a festive ‘outing’ together on Monday.

The former Love Islander, 34, and podcaster, 36, couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces as they headed out to spend their first Christmas season together.

After Pete’s successful stint on Strictly Come Dancing and Maura’s time Down Under on I’m A Celeb, the new reality TV couple have a lot to celebrate.

Maura seemed to be overjoyed as she looked back at her new friend, who was putting on an equally animated display.

The reality star looked effortlessly stylish in white sweatpants and a gray crop top, which showed off a glimpse of her toned stomach.

She opted for comfort in a pair of black boots and wore a cropped zip-up sweatshirt to complete her look.

Maura carried around her leather Alo jacket, which costs £240, as they loaded the car.

She lugged her belongings in a brown leather handbag and wheeled the rest of her essentials in a Louis Vuitton suitcase and a larger white suitcase, which she decorated with stickers.

The I’m A Celeb favorite wore her hair in tight, bouncy curls and opted for a minimal shimmery make-up palette to take her natural beauty to the next level.

Meanwhile, Pete looked equally fashionable in a black and white patterned jacket, teamed with black joggers and a pair of trainers.

He wore a black beanie as he lifted his and Maura’s luggage into the striking white car.

At one point the Strictly star burst out laughing as the happy new couple shared a joke as they prepared to leave.

Just hours after arriving back in Britain following her time on I’m A Celeb, Maura and Pete were reunited after weeks of speculation about their romance.

The couple posed for a photo together at a London hotel, cuddling with a group of friends as they celebrated Maura’s homecoming after her month-long trip to Australia.

Maura had landed at London Heathrow airport a few hours earlier, but clearly wanted to contact Strictly star Pete as soon as possible.

A beaming Maura reposted her friend’s mirror selfie to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday night, with the group of friends surrounded by jungle-themed balloons.

During her time in the jungle, Maura seemingly confirmed she was dating Pete after they were seen kissing just weeks before she flew to Australia.

When asked by former Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse if she was single, Maura replied: “Yes, but I had been seeing someone before I came in, but I’m not in a relationship.”

Reverend Richard Coles – a founding member of 1980s synth-pop group The Communards – then asked: ‘Was it exclusive? Or if I put you on the spot, sorry!’, to which she replied after a long silence: ‘I don’t know’.

Maura also revealed the pair had known each other for longer than fans would expect – and said Pete had pursued her relentlessly.

“Yes, we’ve known each other for five years, and never…” she said to Oti.

‘He always said, “Oh no, we’re going on a date somewhere.” And I would say, “Actually no.” And I was dead serious: ‘Actually no. You’re delusional.’

Appearing on This Morning following her elimination from the show, she shared her excitement about potentially seeing Pete on her return to the UK and admitted he encouraged her decision to head into the jungle.

She said: ‘Honestly he’s been so helpful. I didn’t know if he was still on Strictly. I’m so proud of him and he’s proud of me and I can’t wait to see him.”

When asked why she ultimately changed her mind, Maura explained: ‘He wouldn’t give up. And then I thought, “Oh, great.”

“I brought my friends along and I thought, ‘Look, this is a friendship date.’ And the next time I went, it was just me.”

Recounting their first date, she admitted that no expense was spared, noting: ‘We went out for oysters and wine. Yes, come on. It was great fun.’

As for their chemistry, Maura joked, “Yes, very nice. We just call each other 24/7. We have exactly the same sense of humor.’

During his time on Strictly, Pete showed he was still thinking about Maura when he reposted Maura’s Instagram, which was run by her friends and family while she was Down Under, and urged people to vote for her.

He joked: “I’ve been George of the Jungle, but now it’s time to vote for Maura of the Jungle.”

The Mail on Sunday previously revealed Pete has ended his romantic relationship with his Strictly partner Jowita Przystal – as he is determined to win Maura’s heart.

Sources close to Pete say he is telling friends he is completely in love with the jungle star he has been casually dating for the past five months.

When he started Strictly and met Jowita, Maura gave up all hope of the relationship lasting.

A friend said: ‘Before Maura went into the jungle, Pete wanted to make their relationship exclusive.

‘But Maura, aware of Pete’s reputation and his close relationship with Jowita, decided to take things easier.

‘She gave him an ultimatum: be faithful to her or let it go. So she left a single woman.

“Since then, Pete has gone all in and openly expressed his feelings to anyone who will listen.”