Pete Wicks has recently opened up about the rumors surrounding his alleged romance with Maura Higgins, breaking his silence during an appearance on the Staying Relevant podcast with his close friend, Sam Thompson.
The dating speculation between the two stars began earlier in the year when they were spotted kissing in London, sparking widespread media interest and fan curiosity.
Maura Higgins and Pete Wicks (Credit: YouTube)
The TOWIE star reflected on his current stage in life, mentioning that he is single and that he’s at a different point in his life, which likely plays a role in his approach to relationships.
The conversation on Staying Relevant was sparked when Sam Thompson, who was interviewing I’m a Celebrity campmates for I’m a Celebrity: Unpacked , shared a moment of awkwardness when the topic of Maura’s love life came up.
Sam recalled how he had to navigate around the situation carefully, trying to avoid discussing Pete amidst the speculation.
He humorously revealed how his loyalty to Pete made him hesitate when co-host Joel Dommett joked about the identity of the “mystery man” Maura had mentioned in the jungle.
Pete, always quick with a quip, acknowledged the awkwardness and joked about how Sam was avoiding the topic, remarking,
“I presume what you’re doing there is trying to not discuss what everyone has been discussing, which is Maura.”
This led to further lighthearted teasing between the friends about how the topic had been handled on the show, including a funny moment where Joel Dommett had humorously referred to Pete as the “mystery man” after Sam’s attempts to dodge the subject.
The situation escalated slightly during Maura’s exit interview on I’m a Celebrity , where Sam, in a moment of panic, accidentally referred to Pete as part of the “family” when greeting Maura after her departure.
Sam admitted that he was mortified by the slip-up, fearing he had ruined his presenting career right from the start. Pete couldn’t resist poking fun at his friend, saying,
“It does until you did her leaving interview and said, ‘Welcome to the family’. I think that one just slipped out a bit!”
Despite Sam’s embarrassment, he later revealed that Maura had been incredibly kind and understanding about the whole situation, which helped to diffuse the tension.
Both Pete and Sam shared their thoughts about how detailing the rumors in the public eye can be tricky, but they also displayed a strong friendship and a sense of humor about the whole ordeal.
Pete reflected on how such rumors are often blown out of proportion, and he noted that he’s in a different headspace now than he might have been in the past.
He also joked about how Sam’s loyalty to him was evident, even if it led to some awkward moments on air.
While the speculation about Pete and Maura’s relationship continues to swirl, both stars seem to be handling the situation with grace and humor.
Maura has consistently maintained that she was seeing someone before going on I’m a Celebrity but is not currently in a relationship, while Pete’s focus remains on his personal journey and being single at the moment.
The whole exchange on the podcast offers a lighthearted and candid glimpse into how both stars are managing the buzz surrounding their rumored romance, showcasing their friendship and the playful dynamic between them.
Pete Wicks (Credit: Facebook)
It’s clear that Pete and Sam’s bond is strong, and despite the occasional awkwardness, they both find humor in the situation.
For now, the dating rumors remain unresolved, but Pete and Maura seem to be taking it all in stride, with plenty of laughs along the way.
Christina Haack (formerly known as Christina Hall), the HGTV star famous for Flip or Flop, recently stirred up some attention on Instagram when she posted a picture with her “great friend” Jared Merrell, which led many followers to believe she might be dating again, just three months after her split from her third husband, Josh Hall.
On November 2, 2024, Christina shared a warm and celebratory birthday post for Jared, who appeared in the photo alongside her, both smiling and posing closely together.
“Happy Birthday to my brother from another mother @jaredjstar25. Thank you for ALWAYS being such a great friend. Love you and your family so much. So happy to be celebrating you all weekend!”
The post was full of well-wishes from Christina’s followers, but many quickly speculated that this might be an announcement that Christina had moved on from her recent divorce.
Others, however, were more cautious and admitted to jumping to conclusions, especially after Christina clarified that they were just good friends.
Christina Haack (Credit: YouTube)
“Thought this was husband number 4 for a second there,” one fan wrote, while another shared, “I first thought she was introducing us to a new boyfriend I was like damn girl slow down!!”
However, a deeper look at the situation suggested that Christina and Jared are indeed just friends.
Christina reposted a photo from a friend that showed her enjoying a hot tub moment with a group of gal pals, including what appeared to be Jared’s wife, as her Instagram handle matched that of @mrsmerrill22.
The group seemed to be celebrating Jared’s birthday together, possibly during a getaway to Punta Mita, Mexico. The presence of Jared’s wife was a clear indicator that the relationship between Christina and Jared was purely platonic.
Divorce From Josh Hall
This post came shortly after Christina’s messy divorce from Josh Hall, which has been widely reported on due to the ongoing legal battles over spousal support and other financial matters.
Christina and Josh Hall, who had married in 2021, filed for divorce in July 2024 after almost three years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
Their split became public just as Christina was wrapping up the filming of The Flip Off, a reality show initially meant to feature both Christina and Josh, along with Christina’s first ex-husband, Tarek El Moussa, and his current wife, Heather El Moussa.
However, since the divorce filing, Josh has been absent from the project, and it’s unclear who Christina’s new partner will be on the show.
Christina and Josh’s split has had a ripple effect not only on their personal lives but also on their professional endeavors. Josh was initially involved in The Flip Off, but now, as the show continues filming, Christina is seen teaming up with Tarek and Heather.
The show, which is centered around competing to buy, renovate, and flip homes for the highest profit, seems to be going forward without Josh.
The trio of Christina, Tarek, and Heather has continued to post promotional content for the show, but none of these promos have featured Josh, signaling that he is no longer part of the project.
The divorce also brings to light Christina’s history with marriage. This marks her third divorce, following her previous marriages to Tarek El Moussa (with whom she shares two children, Brayden and Taylor) and Ant Anstead (with whom she shares a son, Hudson).
Christina’s relationship patterns have led to mixed reactions from fans, with some urging her to slow down and take some time for self-reflection.
Many are concerned about the impact her relationships might be having on her children, especially given the rapid succession of divorces and new relationships.
Some followers have voiced concern about Christina’s emotional well-being, questioning whether she has truly taken the time to reflect on her past relationships.
One commenter pointed out,
“She needs to slow down and do an inventory of her previous partners and why they did not work. Then be alone for a while with your kids and have fun. Leave the men alone until you are sure it’s right. Don’t be desperate!”
Others have suggested that she might be rushing into new relationships or public displays of affection without giving herself the time to heal and reflect.
On the other hand, Christina has always maintained a public persona that includes her professional commitments and her active social media presence.
She continues to be a major figure in the HGTV world, with her shows Christina on the Coast and Christina in the Country still airing.
Fans continue to watch her journey as she navigates both her personal and professional life, often offering both support and criticism as she moves forward.
Despite the drama surrounding her personal life, Christina has been quick to show her positive side, posting images of family celebrations, working on home renovation projects, and staying involved with her children, whom she shares with Tarek and Ant.
Her children—Brayden and Taylor with Tarek, and Hudson with Ant—remain her main focus, and Christina often shares moments of joy with them, reinforcing her role as a devoted mother.
As for the future, Christina’s fans will no doubt continue to follow her journey with keen interest. Whether she chooses to take a break from dating or is simply finding new connections, her life seems to be one of constant change, both on and off the screen.
Fans will likely continue to watch her as she faces the complexities of her personal life, career, and motherhood, all while balancing the pressures of public scrutiny.
