Lorraine Kelly Wimbledon 2024
(Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Lorraine Kelly Has a Cheeky Dig at Pete Wicks Over Maura Higgins Romance Rumours

Pete Wicks, former star of The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE), found himself in the hot seat during an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine on Wednesday. The 37-year-old was there to promote his new show, For Dogs’ Sake, but it wasn’t long before host Lorraine Kelly turned the conversation toward his love life—specifically, his rumoured relationship with Love Island star Maura Higgins.

Lorraine, known for her playful yet probing style, wasted no time diving in. “With all this going on, have you no time for romance?” she asked. Pete chuckled at the inevitable question, responding, “I wondered how long that was going to take.”

Not one to give up, Lorraine pressed further: “You can tell me! You can tell me!” But Pete skillfully dodged the question, saying with a laugh, “Really nice try. But you know what – I’ve left the talking about the romance thing in the past. Really nice try though, really appreciate that.”

Lorraine, clearly enjoying the banter, teased: “You can tell me after,” but Pete remained tight-lipped, keeping the details of his personal life under wraps.

The gossip mill has been buzzing with speculation about Pete and Maura, 34, ever since reports surfaced that the pair shared a kiss at the Pride of Britain Awards afterparty in November. The timing added fuel to the fire, as Maura soon after headed to Australia for her stint on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

Maura herself has hinted at their connection. During her time on ITV’s jungle show, she revealed that she and Pete had been friends for five years before their dynamic shifted. She shared that Pete had finally asked her out, and they had enjoyed a few dates together.

In a conversation with Oti Mabuse on the show, Maura disclosed that their first outing was what she called a “friendship date,” which included her bringing along other friends. However, the second date was more private—just the two of them.

After her exit from the jungle, Maura opened up further about Pete in interviews. During an appearance on This Morning, host Alison Hammond couldn’t resist asking about the blossoming romance. Maura admitted, “Do you know what, you forget about the cameras. I do like to keep things private. I said I miss him—I do miss him. Like I miss all my friends and family.”

Despite their reluctance to officially confirm their relationship, Maura and Pete have expressed mutual admiration for one another. Maura shared her pride in Pete’s work, including his efforts on Strictly Come Dancing, while Pete has reportedly been equally supportive of her achievements.

Whether the two stars are ready to go public or not, fans and media alike remain intrigued by their evolving relationship. For now, Pete seems determined to keep the details of his personal life to himself—but that hasn’t stopped Lorraine or anyone else from trying to get the scoop.

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