It was announced last week that Pete Wicks and Maura Higgins had split up (
Image: GC Images)

Love Island star Maura Higgins and TOWIE’s Pete Wicks had been romantically linked for months prior to the news last week that the reality TV stars had broken up

TV star Pete Wicks is said to have done “nothing wrong” in his romance with Maura Higgins despite speculation.

Former the Only Way is Essex cast member Pete, 36, and Love Island finalist Maura, 34, had been romantically linked for months prior to the news of their break-up last week. They were said to have decided to be friends after having what’s been described as “a very on and off relationship”.

It’s since been claimed that former I’m A Celebrity campmate Maura had been “suspicious” of Pete. She referenced cheating herself when asked about the former Strictly Come Dancing star whilst out with a pal on Valentine’s Day.

Now, a source has defended Pete against any allegations of cheating amid his relationship with Maura. Following reports that she found “loads of messages with other women,” the source has said that they were “innocent”.

Speaking to MailOnline, the source said that Pete “did nothing wrong” and “did not cheat”. They said: “The messages were simply innocent communication with friends and colleagues – he often messages friends of the same sex but it wasn’t cheating.”

The source went on to suggest that the “narrative” is “unfair” given that Pete – once considered a ‘bad boy’ – has “worked really hard” on himself over the years. They said: “Pete has always been open and honest about errors made in his past and how he struggles to commit in relationships.”

They said that he was “upfront” with Maura from the start of their romance and the source said that continuing the “same narrative” when he’s now a “better man” is “very unfair”. They added that it’s “not the same old” Pete, as he has “worked really hard” to “mature” and “better himself” previously.

The source went on to tell the outlet: “He hasn’t done anything wrong and Maura’s claims are unsubstantiated and just bizarre.” They added that Pete “still adores her” and doesn’t want to “trash her,” either publicly or in private.

It was reported last week that Pete Wicks (left) and Maura Higgins (right) had split up ( 
Image:
GC Images)

They had been romantically linked for months ( 
Image:
Tik Tok)
The comments come after it was reported on Valentine’s Day that they had split up. A source told MailOnline at the time that Maura and Pete had “decided to call off their romance”. The source said there had been some “clashes” and that it was agreed that they were “better off as friends”. It was stated that they “remain close” and “share a deep connection”.

Later that same day, footage of Maura out with a companion was shared by the Sun and she referenced cheating whilst speaking to photographers. When asked where Pete was, she told them: “I dunno, probably cheating.”

More recently, a source told the Sun that they had parted ways after Maura was “suspicious” of Pete and “whether he might have been messing her around”. The source then said that there have been “some rows over true”.

The source added: “She felt she was proved right when she saw loads of messages with other women on his phone. She knew she’d never be able to feel like she could trust him – even if the messages were all innocent, it’s not something she could get past. She didn’t want to be constantly worried about what her man was doing.”

Speaking to the outlet, the source said that Maura “remained coy” about the romance and won’t start “bad-mouthing him” following the apparent break-up. They said that she is now instead “determined” to “move on from him”.