PETE Wicks has fuelled rumours he’s dating I’m A Celebrity’s Maura Higgins with a sweet message supporting her jungle stint.

Reality star Pete, who is currently competing on Strictly Come Dancing, cheered Maura on after a clip of her efforts on the ITV jungle show’s Bushtucker Trials.

Pete and Maura were getting close before she headed to the jungle
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Pete and Maura were getting close before she headed to the jungleCredit: Splash

Pete has developed a close bond with Jowita on Strictly
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Pete has developed a close bond with Jowita on StrictlyCredit: PA

Pete wrote "what a woman" on a post sharing Maura's efforts in the bushtucker trial
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Pete wrote “what a woman” on a post sharing Maura’s efforts in the bushtucker trialCredit: Eroteme
After nailing a buffet-style challenge filled with gut-churning delicacies, Pete responded to a video of her efforts posted online.

He simply wrote: “WHAT A WOMAN.”

Maura’s account is currently being looked after by her manager while she’s away, with the former Love islander completely unaware about what’s being said to her.

Despite the couple being spotted kissing at an event ahead of her trip to Australia, and even heading to an event at London Palladium together days before she flew out.

Maura also spoke for the first time about her connection with former Towie star Pete on the We Need To Talk podcast with Paul Brunson, saying: “We just get on very, very well. I adore him, he’s an amazing person.

“Do you know what’s so weird? We met very soon after me coming off Love Island and we just instantly clicked.

“Our humour is the same. It’s like that sick, dark humour. It’s very abusive. We abuse each other. Very nasty, it’s hilarious.”

However Maura insisted she was single before heading into the jungle.

In the meantime, Pete has been seen having undeniable chemistry and connection with his professional dance partner, Jowita Przystał.

Sources over at BBC’s Strictly say the relationship between Pete and Jowita is a big talking point backstage, as the pair don’t seem to be hiding their bond.

An insider told The Sun: “The chemistry between them has been pretty clear since the moment they met.

“But the last few weeks something has changed and they’ve started seeing each other away from the show.

“They’ve tried to keep it low-key but they often travel together rather than getting separate cars to different locations.

Jowita is single having split from her long-term partner, fellow dancer Michael Danilczuk, in 2022, the same year that she lifted the glitterball trophy with wildlife presenter Hamza Yassin.

The pair caused controversy tonight when it was revealed that, despite landing to the bottom of the leaderboard, they had been saved by the public vote to survive another week.

Maura said she was single as she entered the jungle
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Maura said she was single as she entered the jungleCredit: Rex

Maura has been praised for her efforts in the jungle so far
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Maura has been praised for her efforts in the jungle so farCredit: Eroteme