Pete Wicks likens his Strictly backlash to ‘abuse’ as he leaves rehearsals with pro partner Jowita Pryzstal in his flashy Porsche… but what will his new flame Maura Higgins think of their tight-knit bond now she’s out of the jungle?

Pete Wicks has likened the backlash he received on Strictly Come Dancing to ‘abuse’ as he continued to compete for the Glitterball Trophy.

Before speaking out about the death threats he received online during the competition, Pete left rehearsals with his professional partner Jowita Pryzstal, 30.

The TOWIE alum, 36, headed out with Jowita in his flashy Porsche ahead of their appearance on It Takes Two on Thursday, where he spoke about the criticism he’s faced.

During his appearance on the spin-off show, host Janette Manrara said: “There is criticism that you are getting the popularity vote and that you are not here because of your dancing skills.”

Pete replied, “Criticism is probably a light word. I think abuse would be better. But look, it is what it is. You can’t please everyone, and I’m not here to please everyone. I’m here to try to learn something.

I’m just a guy who’s just into something, and if I listened to all the negative stuff, I wouldn’t get out of bed in the morning.

‘But on the positive side, a lot of nice things have been said. It is what it is, it’s not nice to hear.’

While Pete was on the dance floor, I’m A Celeb’s Maura Higgins, 34, has given an insight into their romance after confirming they were dating before heading into the jungle.

While Pete went somewhere with Jowita, Maura was the sixth star to be evicted from I’m A Celebrity during Thursday night’s episode.

During her time in the jungle, Maura spoke openly about her love life with her campmates.

When asked by Oti Mabuse whether or not she was single, Maura replied: “I am, but I had been seeing someone before I came in, but I’m not in a relationship.”

On Sunday, during a conversation about relationship statuses, Richard asked Maura if her “relationship” was exclusive.

After being asked if it was someone the public might know, she coyly replied, “Yes,” before admitting that she had missed him since entering the camp.

Maura admitted that she thought she had never been in love. Richard described looking for his late partner David in a crowd and feeling his heart pounding, as Dean said, “I know that feeling.”

Dean McCullough then asked about her current situation, “Does it feel different this time?”

Maura replied, “That’s right, but is that because we’ve known each other for a long time?”

Richard added: “You would know by now if he was a bastard or not as the stunner smiled to himself and replied: ‘Yeah, he’s not a bastard.’

Despite his busy spell, Strictly has shown he is still thinking about Maura as he reposted Maura’s Instagram, which is run by her friends and family while she is 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.”

And Maura’s family have shown their support for Pete in return, as they also shared a clip of him and Jowita on Strictly.

They posted a sweet video of the pair dancing under the glitter ball and wrote in Saturday night’s post: ‘Walking into the quarter finals like… I know they’re dead Tony!!