Who is Maura Higgins? New reality star enters the jungle

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here 2024 is well underway, with well-known stars undertaking gruelling challenges and living off rice and beans rations. But now they are getting some new camp mates.

Former Love Island star Maura Higgins is entering the jungle in tonight’s episode of ITV’s I’m a Celeb to join dancer Oti Mabuse, former boxer Barry McGuigan and N-Dubz star Tulisa.

Maura, 33, appeared on Love Island’s fifth series in 2019 alongside Molly-Mae and Tommy Fury. She coupled up with Curtis Pritchard, and the pair landed fourth place.

Read more: ITV I'm A Celebrity's Tulisa's friend defends appearance after having 'terrible time' as she issues four-word demand

Curtis and Maura stayed together for eight months following the end of the show before calling it quits. She was later in a relationship with former Love Islander Chris Taylor, but they were only publicly together for a few months.

She is now reportedly dating TOWIE star Pete Wickes, but the pair have remained very quiet about their relationship.

Maura was asked by the Mirror if she had been on a date with Pete. She replied: "I mean, I've been on a date with many people.

"I'm not [dating]. Where have you heard that? I date but I'm very much single. Honestly, I just think the interest in my dating life is so boring.

“People go on dates. Like everyone goes on dates, but then it suddenly becomes that I am in a relationship with this person, or that person."

The star was born in Ireland and will celebrate her 34th birthday in the jungle, on Monday 25 November.

Similarly to previous years, ten celebs entered the jungle in the launch of the ITV show last Sunday (17 November), and two more campmates are joining them a little later.

She has recently been on a trip to Las Vegas and upon landing in Australia she told The Sun: “"I’m still on Vegas time. I’m not well. Sin City has killed me.

“Honestly, not good. I feel like yer man from The Hangover, like, the shakes and everything. It was amazing, just very exhausting. It was like, proper, full on…just the jet lag, no sleep.

"I have no clue what day it is. I don’t know where I am, I’m so confused." She added: “I don’t really drink champagne, I’m more red wine. So that gives you a bad hangover, you know."

Maura is known for being extremely fiery. During her stint on Love Island, she erupted at former Love Islander Tom who she was getting to know. But she has confirmed she isn’t planning to be as direct in the jungle.

She said: "I mean, I’m not gonna go in and annihilate anyone. But obviously, if someone gets on my nerves, I’m not really one to hold it in. I do speak my mind. I think I’ve matured, but I still have the potty mouth."

Before entering Love Island, Maura worked as a model and ring girl for several professional boxers including Anthony Joshua.