Maura Higgins and Pete Wicks are said to have called time on their romance (Picture: Rex)

As it was reported on today that Maura Higgins and Pete Wicks have split and decided they are ‘better off as friends’, the I’m A Celebrity star has taken to social media with a telling Valentine’s Day message.

The former Love Island star, 34, and recent Strictly Come Dancing competitor, 37, are said to have gone their separate ways after being tight lipped about their blossoming romance in recent months.

It’s reported they ‘remain close’ and still have a ‘deep connection’, despite decided to call things off.

‘There have been a few clashes, and it was eventually agreed they were better off as friends,’ a source told MailOnline.

‘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.’

However, there could be hope in the future as one friend refused to rule out a potential reunion for the pair.

‘You never know with Maura and Pete, the attraction is so strong that you wouldn’t rule out reunion at some point – even in the short term,’ they said.

As the reports came thick and fast today, Maura posted a Valentine’s Day message on social media.

She shared a picture of a huge bunch of red roses, with a note attached reading: ‘To Me, Love Me.’

Maura appeared to hint on Instagram that she is single (Picture: Instagram/Maura Higgins)

Maura referenced their romance on I’m A Celebrity last year (Picture: James Gourley/Shutterstock)

She insisted they weren’t in a relationship (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
The couple kept their romance relatively private, although she seemed to drop some hints during I’m A Celebrity.

When Oti Mabuse asked if she was single, she replied: ‘I am but I was seeing someone before I came in, but I’m not in a relationship.’

She added that she was ‘missing’ the mystery man, who she acknowledged was someone the public might know.

In another chat, she opened up about speculation around her love life, and told podcast host GK in the camp: ‘They went, “And you’re dating Pete Wicks.” I was like, “Am I?” And they went, “Well, it looks that way.”

‘And I was like, “Does it?” I was like, “You know more than me.” I was like, “No, I’m single. I’m not in a relationship.” People date. People can date and not be in a relationship and take things slow.’

Referencing Pete, Maura added: ‘We’ve already been papped, tongues down each other’s necks. We had no idea.’

After leaving the jungle, Maura appeared on This Morning on December 6, and faced questions from Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary about her romance.

Alison, 49, said ‘We all know it’s Pete’. Firmly moving the conversation from her time on the ITV reality show to the former Towie star, she continued: ‘He loves you, and you love him. What’s going to happen when you come back?’

Maura admitted she had ‘missed him’ (Picture: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock)
Maura clapped back: ‘It didn’t take it long to ask you that question Alison, did it?’

After the trio laughed, Maura gave the presenters and viewers what they wanted to hear.

‘Do you know what, you forget about the cameras, I do like to keep things private. I said I miss him, I do miss him,’ she responded. Maura quickly added: ‘Like I miss all my friends and family.’

The star then shared that she ‘can’t wait to see him’, and that she’s ‘so proud’ of him for still being in Strictly at the time, adding: ‘He’s proud of me too.’

Strictly star Pete recently opened up about their bond (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)
In January, Pete praised Maura for being ‘super intelligent’ and ‘incredibly witty’, admitting they share the same sense of humour.

Speaking on the We Need To Talk podcast, he said: “Maura and I have known each other for a long time now… about six years. We have the same sense of humour, she’s super intelligent and I think that is sometimes something that people don’t realise about Maura.

‘She’s incredibly witty. We have always been there for each other for the past six years at a distance.

‘It’s different now. We spend more time together now than we did before. My relationship with her is that I think she’s a great person and I would hope that she thinks I’m alright.’

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