Pete Wicks calls Maura Higgins 'my winner' and urges fans to vote for her despite growing close to Strictly pro Jowita Przystal - suong

Pete Wicks has illustrated the depth of his feelings towards former flame Maura Higgins, as he publicly voiced his support for her on I'm A Celebrity - despite growing close to his Strictly partner Jowita Przystal.

The TV personality, 36, had confirmed a romance with the former Love Islander, 33, when they were seen kissing, but Maura insisted that she is single when she entered the jungle. 

However, Pete proved she's still on his mind when he re-shared a post urging fans to vote to keep Maura on the reality show after writing 'what a woman' about her on a previous post.

As the first elimination looms on Friday night, fans have the chance to decide who they want to leave the jungle and Maura's pals created a meme to convince people to vote to save her.

Her friends and family - who are running her account while she's Down Under - created a version of the iconic WW2 'We Can Do It!' poster, with Maura's face superimposed on top of Rosie the Riveter's and surrounded by a host of critters.

Sharing the picture to his Stories, Pete also added a personal message of support, writing: 'There she is! My winner... Vote Maura!'

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Pete Wicks has illustrated the depth of his feelings towards rumoured flame Maura Higgins, when he publicly voiced his support for her on I'm A Celebrity 

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The TV personality, 36, had confirmed a romance with the former Love Islander, 33, when they were seen kissing, but Maura insisted that she is single when she entered the jungle 

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However, Pete took to his Instagram on Thursday to re-share a post urging fans to vote to keep Maura on the reality show - despite growing close to his Strictly dance partner Jowita Przystal

It comes amid mounting speculation that Pete had been 'secretly seeing' Jowita.

The pair sent fans wild with their chemistry during their latest dance on Saturday night, dancing fierce Tango to Easy Lover by Philip Bailey and Phil Collins, and scoring 29 out of 40.

Fans rushed to social media to share their thoughts, penning: 'Pete and Jowita are definitely in lurve'; 'You can't deny, Pete & Jowita are so cute together'; 'pete and jowita i am OBSESSED'.

The pair have been competing on Strictly together since September, and in recent days, sources have claimed they have been secretly seeing each other away from the show and have been spotted looking cosy on car rides together.

With Sam Thompson in Australia hosting I'm A Celebrity: Unpacked, Jowita stepped as the co-host for the latest episode of Pete's podcast.

After the episode was uploaded on YouTube on Friday, fans were quick to show their appreciation for the pair, calling for Jowita to become a permanent part of the team.

Others were also quick to clock the pair's 'unreal' chemistry, as they prepared to take to the floor to dance the Tango.

Comments included: 'I'm so glad Pete decided to do Strictly. If not, I'm not sure these two beautiful people would have ever crossed paths in life;

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Her friends and family - who are running her account while she's Down Under - created a version of the iconic WW2 'We Can Do It!' poster, with Maura's face superimposed on top of Rosie the Riveter's and surrounded by a host of critters

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It comes amid mounting speculation that Pete had been 'secretly seeing' his Strictly Come Dancing partner Jowita Przystal (pictured together on Saturday)

 

The pair sent fans wild with their chemistry during their latest dance on Saturday night, dancing fierce Tango to Easy Lover by Philip Bailey and Phil Collins , and scoring 29 out of 40 

'OMG the chemistry between you and Jowita is electrifying. You're relationship goals. Jowita has tamed you Pete in a really nice way. All you needed was someone who believes in you 100%. It's a beautiful thing to watch;

'Love these two together; I love their chemistry on this podcast; 'Their chemistry is unreal! Just wife her already! Lol'.

'Oh gosh you guys. Jowita is wifey, Pete!! They're so captivating to listen/watch due to their amazing chemistry, something to the final!'

Meanwhile, on Thursday, sources claimed 'something has changed' between the reality star and the professional dancer in recent weeks and they have been secretly seeing each other away from the show.

At the beginning of the series, they were said to have 'sent tongues wagging' between the cast and crew due to their sizzling chemistry, with viewers even spotting their close connection.

'The chemistry between them has been pretty clear since the moment they met but the last few weeks something has changed and they’ve started seeing each other away from the show,' a source told The Sun.

'They’ve tried to keep it low-key but they often travel together rather than getting separate cars to different locations.

'And they’re so tactile backstage it has become pretty obvious something is going on. Everyone is talking about the fact they seem closer than ever.'

 

 

The pair have been competing on Strictly together since September, and in recent days, sources have claimed they have been secretly seeing each other away from the show and have been spotted looking cosy on car rides together

 

At the beginning of the series, they were said to have 'sent tongues wagging' between the cast and crew due to their sizzling chemistry, with viewers even spotting their close connection 

 

 

Jowita stepped as the co-host for the latest episode of Pete's podcast and fans were quick to show their appreciation for the pair, calling for he to become a permanent part of the team.

Back in October, Pete shut down rumours of a romance between him and Jowita during a joint appearance on This Morning.

Host Alison Hammond began their interview, by asking: 'Do you actually listen to the judges or are you just in your own little world?'

Pete admitted: 'I'm just in my own little world, we're in a bit of a bubble when we dance!' causing Alison to jump to the opportunity to probe them about their rumoured relationship, cheekily asking: 'Is it a love bubble?'

However, Pete insisted: 'It's not a love bubble unfortunately...' before poking fun at Alison, saying: 'I mean you came in early, that was about 30 seconds before you went in with it!'

Alison laughed and confessed: 'I was straight in there!' as Pete continued: 'You were straight in there! No, it's not a love bubble, we have great chemistry because we've become such good friends.'

Gesturing to Jowita, he gushed: 'She's one of the most amazing people I've ever met, genuinely, not just in the dancing side of things but outside of that and I think that helps us with the whole dancing thing.'

Alison asked if the pair found the constant speculation about the nature of their relationship tiresome, to which Pete admitted: 'Yeah, it's always the same, I'm used to it.'

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Back in October, Pete shut down rumours of a romance between him and Jowita during a joint appearance on This Morning (pictured)

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Pete was also linked to Love Island star Maura, but in an exclusive interview with MailOnline ahead of her jungle stint, she insisted that she is 'single'

Pete was also linked to Love Island star Maura, but in an exclusive interview with MailOnline ahead of her jungle stint, she insisted that she is 'single'.

When asked if she is in a relationship with Pete, Maura said: 'I'm not. I've been on dates with many people. I mean, I date, but I'm very much single. Everyone goes on dates.'

She added: 'It is quite scary going in later. They have all met and got to know each other.

'It's never easy being the newbie, but I am not a shy person, so I feel like I will be fine. It will be nice to bring some energy to the camp.

'I am single at the moment, but honestly no-one is going to fancy me in the jungle. Trust me!'

She also insisted that Pete will not be flying to Australia to meet her across the famous I'm A Celeb bridge when her time on the show comes to an end.

Maura shared: 'I know nothing, he's not said that to me anyway.'

The pair were spotted kissing at numerous red carpet events such as the Pride of Britain Awards, with Maura previously speaking about how the pair have been friends for many years.