Pete Wicks has shared new insights into his relationship with Love Island star Maura Higgins, admitting that things have changed between them recently. 

The pair, who have been at the center of romance rumors for some time,

were first spotted sharing a kiss in London earlier this year, fueling speculation about the nature of their relationship.

During a recent appearance on Paul Brunson’s *We Need to Talk* podcast, Pete, known for his role on *The Only Way Is Essex*,

opened up about his long-standing friendship with Maura, revealing that the two have known each other for approximately six years.

Despite their history as friends, Pete acknowledged that their dynamic has shifted as they have spent more time together in recent months.

“We’ve known each other for about six years,” Pete explained during the podcast. “We have the same sense of humor, she’s super intelligent, and I think that’s sometimes something people don’t realize about Maura. She’s incredibly witty. We have always been there for each other, at a distance.”

Pete’s words reflect the strong bond they’ve shared over the years, but he was quick to point out that things have evolved, especially in recent times.

He continued, “Things are 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.”

Pete’s comments hint at the deepening of their connection, suggesting that their friendship may be transitioning into something more. Although he stopped short of labeling their relationship, it’s clear that they are both growing closer.

Pete’s candidness about his friendship with Maura comes on the heels of several public appearances and comments about their evolving connection.

Earlier this month, Pete had already mentioned their close bond in an interview with *The Times*, where he said, “We’ve known each other for a very, very long time.

We’re very close. But a lot of being in the public eye is that people assume that you have to tell everyone all about your private life, and I’ve never, never done that.”

Pete’s emphasis on keeping certain aspects of his life private underscores his desire to maintain some level of discretion when it comes to his personal relationships, even while the public continues to speculate about his connection with Maura.

Meanwhile, Maura has been equally vocal about her relationship status. Despite the rumors surrounding her and Pete, she has made it clear that she is currently single.

In an interview with *Cosmopolitan UK*, Maura addressed the speculation and clarified, “Can I just set something straight – I don’t have a mystery man. I don’t. I’m single.”

Maura, who gained widespread attention for her appearance on *I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!*, added that she feels people are overly invested in her love life. “I think people are just very invested in my love life. But as you’ve all seen from the jungle, there’s a lot more layers to me than the man I’m dating.”

While Maura’s comments suggest she’s not currently in a romantic relationship, her words point to the complexity of her public persona.

Fans are clearly intrigued by her personal life, but Maura wants to remind them that there’s much more to her than just her dating history. This echoes Pete’s earlier sentiments about privacy and the challenges of living life in the public eye.

The ongoing rumors about Pete and Maura have captured the public’s attention, especially with their recent public interactions and the chemistry that seems to be building between them.

Whether their relationship will develop into something more remains to be seen, but for now, they are content to enjoy each other’s company and navigate their friendship in the spotlight.

For fans of both Pete and Maura, this latest chapter in their relationship provides a glimpse into their personal lives, revealing that while they may be close, they are also mindful of the boundaries they set when it comes to sharing their private moments.

As the pair continues to spend time together, it’s clear that their friendship remains strong, but only time will tell what direction their bond will take.