Maura Higgins leaves a cheeky comment on Pete Wicks’ Strictly announcement amid romance rumours

Maura Higgins made a cheeky comment about Pete Wicks’ announcement that he will be starring in the upcoming series of Strictly.

This week, reports emerged that the two had kissed at the Broadwick Soho Hotel over the weekend.

Love Island USA presenter Maura, 33, couldn’t resist teasing Pete, 36, about his arrival and the romance rumours, leaving fans in suspense.

She wrote: ‘According to The Sun… I know what those hips can do. Proud of you!!!!’, to which Pete replied: ‘Dead’.

The couple apparently tried to quash any speculation about a relationship after they were spotted enjoying an outdoor lunch together.

Pete announced he was joining Strictly on Wednesday, saying he was ‘a mix of excited and petrified’

She wrote: ‘According to The Sun… I know what those hips can do. Proud of you!!!!’ to which Pete replied: ‘Dead’

The couple were first reported to be in a relationship in October 2023, when they looked cosy at the Pride Of Britain Awards.

A source told the publication: ‘Maura had been sitting on the terrace with friends for an hour before Pete arrived.

‘After they sat there for a while, Maura went in for a long kiss with Pete. It wasn’t the kind of kiss you would give a friend, it was very passionate.

‘Maura and Pete seemed to be really in love with each other and kept looking into each other’s eyes before kissing several more times. They were completely in love with each other. They seemed completely in love and didn’t try to hide it from anyone.’

MailOnline has contacted Maura’s representatives for comment.

Pete announced that he will be a guest on Strictly on KISS FM on Wednesday morning.

He told the show: ‘It’s a mixture of excited and petrified, generally petrified. I’ve said to people, can you really imagine me actually doing this and they’re like, yeah you’re right, you wouldn’t.’

‘I have to turn my phone off now because I’m still getting a lot of messages.’

Strictly made an Instagram announcement that he would be starring in the upcoming series

The couple were first reported to be dating in October 2023, when they looked rather cosy at the Pride Of Britain Awards (pictured at the post office)

Maura split from her American stuntman boyfriend Bobby Holland Hanton (pictured) earlier this year

He revealed that he had already told the news to his best friend Sam Thompson, who was ‘crying’.

‘I’m not kidding, he was screaming, jumping up and down and crying.

“He’s already scheduled to come every Saturday and he’s making T-shirts and he’s my biggest fan in life, he’s already making T-shirts. He’s kind of like Martha in Baby Reindeer.”

Maura recently revealed that she has no shortage of offers. American celebrities have approached her and asked her out after she split with her American stuntman boyfriend Bobby Holland Hanton earlier this year.

Speak with Closerthe Love Island USA star said: ‘I’ve had men from Hollywood slide into my DMs.

“But I’m not going to do that, fly to Hollywood for a first date. They have to come to me!”

Maura also confirmed that she has moved on from her ex Bobby after a whirlwind 10-month romance, but she declined to give any further details.

She added: ‘I’m dating… The thing is, I’m not just going to date anyone.

“I don’t go by looks alone, I have to talk to someone for a while to kind of vibe. It has to be flirty, get to know each other, get a vibe.”