Maura Higgins' fears that exes are set to cash in on her I'm A Celeb success - as THREE lovers past and present appear on hit shows all at once - suong

Maura Higgins made serious waves when she entered the Love Island villa as a bombshell back in 2019, cementing herself as reality TV royalty. 

The Irish beauty's rise to fame saw her compete on last year's I'm A Celeb where she won the hearts of the nation - as well as attracting the attention of TV bosses. 

Her time in the jungle coincided with TOWIE star Pete Wicks' Strictly Come Dancing stint - as rumours of a romance between the pair swirled. 

Maura didn't shy away from speaking about Pete while on the ITV show and it's even suggested that the pair spent their first Christmas together. 

But as they look set to become Britain's next TV power couple, Maura's ex boyfriends could be hot on her heels and ready to take centre stage. 

With Curtis Pritchard returning to screens next week for Love Island: All Stars and Chris Taylor taking to the rink on Dancing On Ice - has Maura's stardom helped propel her exes to primetime success?

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Maura Higgins made serious waves when she entered the Love Island villa as a bombshell back in 2019, cementing herself as reality TV royalty - but has her stardom helped propel her exes to primetime success?

Curtis Pritchard  (2019-2020)

Maura, 34, and professional dancer Curtis, 28, first connected on the fifth series of the original Love Island back in 2019, where they ended up finishing together in fourth place.

Despite their initial spark, the romance fizzled out and they parted ways just eight months later amid rumours of infidelity on both sides - allegations they have both denied.

Curtis has enjoyed a variety of TV appearances over the years, including as a guest choreographer on Drag Race UK, starring in a docu-series called The Boxer and The Ballroom Dancer with Tommy Fury, playing a receptionist on BBC's The Greatest Dancer and competing on The Challenge UK. 

And he is now set to return to British screens next week in series two Love Island All Stars.  

But his foray into acting was not so successful when, in 2021, he and his brother AJ played twins Marco and Jacob in Hollyoaks.

It was announced in February of that year that the brothers would be joining the Hollyoaks cast as twins who help open a dance school on the soap. 

Their scenes soon went viral due to their 'wooden' acting. In particular, Curtis's delivery of the line, 'How's Trish?', was mocked by viewers unsure whether the brothers were plotting to murder long-time character Trish Minniver or throw her a surprise party.

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Maura, 34, and professional dancer Curtis, 28, first connected on the fifth series of the original Love Island back in 2019, where they ended up finishing together in fourth place

Maura is said to be 'worried' that her Curtis might spill secrets about their past relationship during his appearance on the upcoming Love Island All Stars. 

A source told The Sun: 'Curtis signing for All Stars is more than awkward for Maura just as she's fallen for Pete and they've finally gone public with their love.

'Her break-up with Curtis wasn't the best and Maura always worried he'd be the ex that could blab. 

'It's also less than ideal when she's hoping to build on her I'm A Celebrity profile and advance her career. 

'Love Island bosses are in the process of confirming the Islanders who will launch January's show and Curtis might not make that line-up — but he is in the cast of bombshells to land later in the series.'

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Curtis is now set to return to British screens next week in series two Love Island All Stars

Maura took to social media at the time to explain their split had been a joint decision for the pair to part ways. 

She said: 'Curtis and I have made the decision to separate. We enjoyed a great experience from our time in the villa and want to thank everyone for supporting our relationship. 

'There is no easy way to get through a break up and no bad feeling on either side. We tried to make it work but it wasn't to be, and I wish Curtis nothing but the best for the future.'

Chris Taylor (2020-2021)  

Maura and Chris met on the 2019 series of Love Island but did not get together in the villa due to the Irish beauty's romance with Curtis.

Their friendship blossomed in the months after Maura's split from the dancer - and the duo went public with their romance in November 2021 after months of secrecy.

But Maura and Chris split just six months later in May 2021 citing that they were better as friends. 

While Chris hasn't gone public with a girlfriend since Maura, the star's career has gone from strength to strength, and he even landed a part in 2023's Barbie movie thanks to Oscar winner Margot Robbie's fascination with Love Island.

The TikTok star played one of multiple Kens alongside the likes of Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa and Simu Liu, as well as Ryan Gosling in the starring role.

Margot, who hosted a Love Island themed party to celebrate turning 30, met Chris at a film premiere afterparty where the two became better acquainted and she expressed her fondness for the show.

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Maura and Chris met on the 2019 series of Love Island but did not get together in the villa due to the Irish beauty's romance with Curtis

A year later, Chris was contacted about featuring in Barbie, later attending the star-studded European premiere in London with A-list guests including Dua Lipa, America Ferrera and Sam Smith.

As well as his blockbuster feature, Chris has also made regular TV appearances in the years since meeting Maura on the ITV dating show.

Just months after leaving the villa, Chris landed a feature in a Love Island special episode of Supermarket Sweep, and the following year he starred on Dinner Date. 

Also in 2020, Chris starred in the MTV series Living The Dream which focused on the reality star and his Love Island co-stars Michael Griffiths, Danny Williams and Jordan Hames moving in together.

In the months after his Barbie cameo, Chris returned to screens in January 2024 on the first series of Love Island All Stars. That summer he joined Celebs Go Dating in yet another quest for love. 

And after somewhat of a hiatus over the last six months, Chris is set to return to primetime TV to compete on this year's series of Dancing On Ice.  

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And after somewhat of a hiatus over the last six months, Chris is set to return to primetime TV to compete on this year's series of Dancing On Ice

Announcing her split from Chris in May 2021, the Irish beauty penned: 'It breaks my heart to even type this but I wanted to let everyone know that myself and Chris have made the joint decision to end our relationship...

'There is no wrongdoing on either side... we still love, care and respect each other deeply. 

'From the minute we met each other we've been very close friends and that will never change. There is no regret, life is about taking chances.

'We wanted to make this work but we have realised we work better being friends. Whilst I appreciate people may speculate or create false stories this is the truth.

'I wish Chris nothing but the best and I will always be one of his biggest supporters. Thank you for all the love and support.'

Pete Wicks (2024-Present)

Maura and Pete Wicks were the talk of TV before Christmas as rumours about a romance between them swirled - all while she was on I'm A Celeb and he was on Strictly. 

The pair have become somewhat of a powerhouse, after Maura's I'm A Celeb appearance received rave reviews and Pete's huge fanbase got him to the semi-finals of Strictly. 

The Irish star may have met her match in Pete - who also has a blossoming career much like herself. 

Pete's TV career began in 2015 when he joined the cast of The Only Way Is Essex, and he became a frontrunner storyline wise as a result of his relationship with Megan Mckenna. 

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Maura and Pete Wicks were the talk of TV before Christmas as rumours about a romance between them swirled - all while she was on I'm A Celeb and he was on Strictly

His foray into other reality TV shows came three years later when he competed as was a contestant on Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls in 2018, followed by slots on the likes of Celebrity MasterChef, The Celebrity Circle, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins - as well as appearing on Celeb's Go Dating three separate times. 

And Pete has also co-host of the podcast Staying Relevant with his best friend Sam Thompson since 2022, with the pair taking it on tour last year. 

The reality star is also currently starring in his own show, Pete Wicks: For Dog's Sake.

Pete and Maura were first linked back in August and seemingly confirmed their relationship in October as they packed on the PDA during a date in London. 

But when Pete began Strictly and met his dance partner Jowita Przystal, Maura reportedly gave up any hope of the relationship continuing. 

And when she was interviewed before entering I'm A Celeb, she left Pete heartbroken when she declared herself to be single.

Pete however continued to express public support for Maura during her jungle stint, while she opened up more and more throughout the ITV show about their connection.

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The reality star is also currently starring in his own show, Pete Wicks: For Dog's Sake

On leaving the jungle, Maura addressed her romance with Pete during the Coming Out show, which follows this year's stars in their first moments after leaving the Jungle. 

Not long after leaving the camp behind, Maura wasted no time in quizzing her pal Talia about what Pete was up to, as she asked: 'Is Pete still in the show?'

In the car she says: 'If you're missing someone, you're missing someone and it comes out. And I do, I miss him. Yeah, I really do miss him.'

The pair were quick to reunite on Maura's return to the UK, and it was later rumoured that they had spent Christmas together. 

Pete and Maura left fans speculating that they had spent Christmas together, after the new couple posted snaps in what seemed like the same pub.

The former Love Islander and podcaster were also seen beaming as they loaded luggage into a car together just a few days before, preparing to head off on a festive getaway.