Reality TV stars Pete Wicks and Maura Higgins have reportedly ended their on-off romance, deciding that they are better off as friends. 

The two, who have shared a close bond for six years, had been linked romantically for several months but never made their relationship official.

Rumors of their romance first surfaced last year when they were spotted sharing a kiss during a dinner in Soho in August. 

However, despite their chemistry, their relationship never seemed to gain solid ground. 

Now, sources claim they’ve chosen to part ways after experiencing a few clashes, ultimately agreeing that their deep friendship is more important than pursuing something romantic.

A Romance That Never Became Official

Though Pete and Maura never publicly confirmed their relationship, speculation had been rife for months. Maura had even hinted at their connection during her time in the I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! jungle, but she remained coy whenever questioned about it.

A source close to the pair revealed to MailOnline: “Maura and Pete have decided to call off their romance. There have been a few clashes, and it was eventually agreed they were better off as friends. Those closest to them know it’s been a very on-and-off relationship, which is why they were so resistant to go public in the first place. They remain close and share a deep connection.”

Maura’s Blushing TV Moment

Just weeks before news of their split surfaced, Maura appeared on Loose Women, where she was put on the spot about her relationship with Pete. The Love Island star, 33, initially seemed uncomfortable when questioned about her dating life, firmly stating that she was no longer interested in appearing on dating shows.

When asked if she would ever consider returning for Love Island: All Stars, she quickly shut down the idea, saying: “My dating show days are done!” However, the panellists weren’t willing to let the topic go so easily.

Katie Piper seized the moment to press further, asking if that meant Maura was not single. Caught off guard, Maura nervously laughed before replying: “No, did I say that? I know what you’re doing! No, I never said anything, next question!”

The teasing continued as Frankie Bridge directly asked: “Is there anything going on with Pete?” prompting cheers from the audience. Maura, still trying to downplay the situation, responded: “Do we? I never really thought about it. He’s got better hair than me, to be fair! There’s not really much to tell. I know that’s very boring, but we’ve known each other for what, six years? We spend time together, we get on very well, our personalities are very, very similar, and he’s a great person, but there’s actually nothing to tell.”

Despite her insistence that there was nothing going on, fans continued to speculate about her relationship with Pete, believing she was being deliberately vague to avoid confirming the romance.

Pete Wicks Opens Up About Their Bond

While Maura played it cool, Pete offered a bit more insight into their connection during an appearance on Paul C Brunson’s podcast Need To Talk. Speaking candidly, the former TOWIE star described Maura as “super intelligent” and “incredibly witty”, adding that their friendship had remained strong over the years.

“Maura and I have known each other for a long time—about six years. We have the same sense of humor, and she is super intelligent, which I think is something people don’t always realize about her,” Pete shared. “She’s incredibly witty, and we’ve always been there for each other at a distance. We have always kind of been there for each other, and whatever else.”

His comments painted a picture of a deep friendship that had moments of romantic potential but never quite evolved into a long-term relationship.

Why Their Romance Didn’t Work Out

Though Pete and Maura clearly share a strong connection, it appears that they ultimately struggled to transition their friendship into something more serious. According to sources, their relationship was marked by periods of uncertainty, making it difficult for them to fully commit to each other.

Their busy schedules may have also played a role, as both were involved in major reality TV projects last year—Maura in the I’m a Celebrity jungle and Pete on Strictly Come Dancing. The pressures of their careers, combined with differences in their personalities, may have contributed to their decision to remain just friends.

A Lasting Friendship

Despite their split, Pete and Maura reportedly remain close and have no bad blood between them. Their long history as friends suggests that their bond will likely remain intact, even if their romantic connection didn’t work out.

For now, it seems both stars are content with keeping their relationship platonic. And while their romance may have ended before it truly began, their friendship appears to be as strong as ever. Fans will no doubt be watching to see if they rekindle their spark in the future—but for now, Pete and Maura have chosen to go their separate ways, proving that sometimes, friendship is more important than romance.

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