Pete Wicks breaks silence on ‘very close’ relationship with Maura Higgins after they spent first Christmas together

Pete Wicks has broken his silence about his ‘very close’ relationship with Maura Higgins as he opened up about his private life.

The Strictly star, 37, and the former Love Island icon, 34, sparked rumors they spent Christmas together after the new couple posted snaps in what appeared to be the same pub on December 25.

Pete, who found fame in 2015 with The Only Way Is Essex, has now spoken about being in the public eye and navigating relationships.

Speak with The timeshe said: ‘We’ve known each other for a long, long time. We are very close.

“But a lot of the public attention is people assuming that you have to tell everyone everything about your private life, and I never, ever have.”

It comes days after Maura dropped a huge clue on Thursday that she is enjoying a cozy staycation with Pete Wicks at Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire.

Sharing sweet snaps from her healthy escape, Maura shared a video sitting by the fire to Nat King Cole’s Let’s Fall In Love.

She wrote: ‘Checked into the farm.’

The I’m A Celeb star checked into the celeb hotspot, where rooms start from £295 per night, on top of an annual membership fee of £2,750.

Earlier this week, the duo 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.

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 supportive. 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.”