Maura Higgins has revealed the truth about her romance with Curtis Pritchard as he prepares to return to the Love Island villa.
The influencer, 34, and professional dancer, 28, first connected on the original series of Love Island back in 2019, where the pair ended up finishing in fourth place.
Despite their initial spark, the romance fizzled out and they parted ways just eight months later amid rumours of infidelity on both sides – allegations they have both denied.
Now, as Curtis jets to South Africa to appear on Love Island: All Stars alongside a new cohort of previous contestants, Maura has opened up on their relationship.
When asked if her romance with Curtis was a true passion during an interview with The Sunday Times, Maura exclaimed: ‘No!
‘You’re in this confined space and maybe you think you like someone that you probably wouldn’t on the outside.’
Maura Higgins has revealed the truth about her romance with Curtis Pritchard as he prepares to return to the Love Island villa
The influencer, 34, and professional dancer, 28, first connected on the original series of Love Island back in 2019, where the pair ended up finishing in fourth place
She then admitted to having terrible taste in men, before saying: ‘I’m happy right now. I don’t feel like I need a man. But I’ll date, and I’ll see where something goes, and if it happens, it happens.’
Maura is reportedly ‘worried’ he might spill secrets about their past relationship after the pair ended up finishing in fourth place in the 2019 series.
Curtis is part of a stellar line-up which includes Scott Thomas, Catherine Agbaje, Olivia Hawkins and Luca Bish.
While Maura recently made a splash on TV with her stint in the jungle – where she spoke candidly about dating TOWIE star Pete Wicks – Curtis is also making his own comeback in the spotlight.
A source told The Sun: ‘Curtis signing for All Stars is more than awkward for Maura just as she’s fallen for Pete and they’ve finally gone public with their love.
‘Her break-up with Curtis wasn’t the best and Maura always worried he’d be the ex that could blab. It’s also less than ideal when she’s hoping to build on her I’m A Celebrity profile and advance her career.
‘Love Island bosses are in the process of confirming the Islanders who will launch January’s show and Curtis might not make that line-up — but he is in the cast of bombshells to land later in the series.’
MailOnline contacted a representative for Maura for further comment.
Now, as Curtis jets to South Africa to appear on Love Island: All Stars alongside a new cohort of previous contestants, Maura has opened up on their relationship
When asked if her romance with Curtis was a true passion, Maura exclaimed: ‘No! You’re in this confined space and maybe you think you like someone that you probably wouldn’t on the outside.’
It comes after Maura discussed her experience on Love Island on Paul C Brunson’s We Need To Talk podcast.
Speaking about her ex Curtis, she described him as a ‘why not’ man, explaining she only dated him due to there being limited options in the villa.
She said: ‘When you’re locked in a house, I say locked but you’re in a house and you’re in there for X amount of time. You’re going to start liking people that you wouldn’t normally like.
‘Not to be mean but you are, you’re in there. I’m pretty sure it would probably be the same on Big Brother. You’re locked in a house; you’re not seeing any other men. You’re going to be like ‘why not’.’
Speaking about his return to the villa Curtis explained: ‘I feel like I’m in a different stage in my life.
‘The idea of settling down is a serious idea in my life right now. I haven’t found my true love… that sounds so cheesy doesn’t it.’
Maura is reportedly ‘worried’ he might spill secrets about their past relationship after the pair ended up finishing in fourth place in the 2019 series
Curtis is part of a stellar line-up which includes Scott Thomas, Catherine Agbaje, Olivia Hawkins and Luca Bish
‘So, I thought, let’s give it another go. It was great fun last time; a lot of emotions. I feel excited to go back. I’m going to have a great fun time and hopefully leave with someone. It’s exciting.’
Curtis admitted there is one key moment from his last appearance on the show that ‘follows me evberywhere’ – his infamous ‘making coffee in the morning.’
He quipped that he will be taking some advice from his villa ex Amy Hart, admitting ‘in hindsight, if I do find a girl this time, I will perhaps cuddle her in bed rather than make coffee… so Amy taught me a lesson.’
Love Island: All Stars returns Monday 13th January at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX
LOVE ISLAND: ALL STARS LINE UP
GABBY ALLEN
AGE: 32
SERIES 3 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
Because it’s the trenches out there! I feel like I have all my ducks in a row, it has been 8 years since I went into the Villa. I now run my businesses and I’ve grown up a lot… but I just haven’t found ‘the one’ yet.
KAZ CROSSLEY
AGE: 29
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
The first experience I had was so amazing and also so much fun! I’m even more mature now so I’m ready to find a relationship.
SCOTT THOMAS
AGE: 36
SERIES 2 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I’ve been on a massive journey over the last five years; I’ve been working on sobriety, personal growth, self development, when I first went into the Villa I was still a bit of a boy.
RONNIE VINT
AGE: 28
SERIES 11 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I learnt so much from my experience last time. In the Villa I was always in ‘triangles’ and what not, but I feel like I’ve grown up a lot.
LUCA BISH
AGE: 25
SERIES 8 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I had such a good time last time, why not? I get to have a good time with the possibility of ending up with someone.
MARCEL SOMERVILLE
AGE: 39
SERIES 3 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I thought that I’d completed love and found my happily ever after – but the universe had a different plan. Somehow every time my life’s at a crossroads, I’ve got the opportunity to do Love Island. So I thought, why not?
CURTIS PRITCHARD
AGE: 28
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I feel like I’m in a different stage in my life. The idea of settling down is a serious idea in my life right now. I haven’t found my true love.
Nas will be entering the villa almost a year after splitting from girlfriend Eva Zapico four years after they met in the villa
NAS MAJEED
AGE: 28
SERIES 6 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
It was so much fun the first time around, waking up every day with a smile on my face – it feels like a full circle moment.
OLIVIA HAWKINS
AGE: 29
SERIES 9 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I’m still single and getting close to my thirties, I feel ready for it now. I’m ready to meet a nice man. People misinterpret my honesty and how real I am.
CATHERINE AGBAJE
AGE: 24
SERIES 10 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I want to find love again, I want to give it another shot because it works!
INDIA REYNOLDS
AGE: 34
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I’ve been single for two and a half years and I think it’s time to settle down.
I don’t put any effort into dating and I don’t really like meeting people from apps so I’m looking forward to getting to know people in the Villa.
ELMA PAZAR
AGE: 32
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I want to have fun and I want to give it a proper go this time. My time was cut short the first time round and who knows, I could be the next Sophie (Piper) and Josh (Ritchie) or Molly (Smith) and Tom (Clare).