Pete Wicks set to invite Maura Higgins to Strictly final if he makes it – and hopes to ‘make it official’ with her
PETE Wicks plans to invite Maura Higgins to watch him in the Strictly Come Dancing final if he makes it through tonight’s results show.
The ex-Towie lothario, 36, has told pals he would like to “make it official” with the ex- Love Island beauty, 34, when she jets back from I’m A Celebrity in Australia.
It comes after months of the pair meeting for secret dates, although both stars refuse to label it a relationship and insist they are still single.
A source said: “Pete has really missed Maura while she has been away, and he has found it hard not being able to contact her.
“It’s made him realise how special she is to him.
“He’s told his mates that he is thinking of asking her to be ‘exclusive’, meaning they won’t date anyone else.
“Plus if he does make it through to the Strictly finals next week he thinks it would be the perfect week to invite her to watch him in the audience.
“The time seems right.”
On Friday, reality TV star Maura opened up about missing Pete during an interview on ITV’s This Morning.
She said: “You do forget about the cameras, and I do like to keep things private.
“But let’s be real, I said it. I can’t remember saying it, but I said the words, ‘I miss him’ — and I do miss him. Like I miss all my friends and family.”
Acknowledging Pete’s support, Irish Maura concluded: “But no, he is the most supportive.
“Honestly, I didn’t know if he was still in Strictly, and I’m so proud of him. He is proud of me too, and yeah, I can’t wait to see him when I get back.”
Maura’s mother Sharon, 55, also admitted last week that her daughter had opened up to her about Pete.
She said: “All I know is what she has told me, which is that they’re good friends.
“And she supports her friends, like they support her, which is a lovely thing.
“She’s on the dating scene. That’s all she has told me.”
The couple were first spotted snogging in August on a romantic date at London’s five-star Broadwick Soho Hotel.
Meanwhile, it emerged last week that Pete had turned down a place on the Strictly Come Dancing regional tour next year as he has other work commitments.