Pete Wicks’ best friend Sam Thompson has spoken out on the rumours that the former TOWIE star is dating Maura Higgins, saying he has “never seen him in such a good mood”

Maura Higgins Pete wicks dancing on Tik Tok
Pete Wicks says he is “very close” with Maura Higgins. (Image: TikTok/PeteWicks)

Pete Wicks’ best friend Sam Thompson has addressed the rumoured romance between the Strictly Come Dancing star and Maura Higgins.

Speculation has been rife that 37-year-old Pete and former Love Islander Maura have been “dating” since last year. The pair were seen kissing after the Pride of Britain Awards in October and Pete is said to have spent Christmas in Maura’s native Ireland.

Former Made in Chelsea star Sam has now addressed their rumoured relationship. The 32-year-old says he has “never seen Pete in such a good mood” amid the speculation, reports Lancs Live.

Speaking to Closer, he said: “He keeps his love life quiet, even from me. I actually know more looking at the press than I do looking at Pete.

“I’ll ask him a couple of cheeky questions, but he’s very quiet about it all because that is his private life, and I respect that massively. What I will say is that I have never seen Pete in such a good mood.”

Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks

Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks (Image: Pete Wicks Instagram)
Sam continued, “He’s always smiling. And I’m not saying it is anything to do with a girl.”

Expressing his pride, Sam noted how Pete has successfully navigated beyond the “Lothario Pete Wicks” and “Pete Wicks from The Only Way is Essex” stereotypes. He’s delighted that “people have finally begun to see the Pete that I’ve known for years”.

Pete became a familiar face on TOWIE, participating for seven years before departing the ITVBe series in 2022. His television journey also includes appearances on Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls, and The Celebrity Circle.

Last year, he graced the Strictly Come Dancing stage alongside Jowita Przystał, with their journey ending in the semi-final while Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell triumphed with the Glitterball Trophy. Addressing the swirling romance rumours on Loose Men, Pete confessed to being a “commitmentphobe”.

Maura Higgins said she is looking forward to seeing Pete Wicks again (Image: GETTY)
After presenter Craig Doyle said Pete “shouldn’t be scared” about commitment because “Maura Higgins is absolutely gorgeous”, Pete replied: “Maura is a very good friend of mine, we’ve known each other for a very long time and we get on well.”

Maura, 34, was also quizzed on her relationship status when she appeared on Loose Women. After the star admitted she wouldn’t go on another dating show, host Katie Piper asked: “Are you saying you’re not single?”

Frankie Bridge then pressed about any sparks with Pete, and after a suggestion that they’d make a “lovely couple,” Maura admitted she had “never really thought about it,” continuing: “There’s much to tell. I know that’s very boring. We’ve known each other for six years.”

“We spend time together, we got on very well, our personalities are very similar. ‘He’s a great person. But there is actually nothing to tell. There’s really not though.”