Excited for a weekend with Pete? Maura Higgins reunited with friends in London after her three-week adventure on I’m A Celeb. However, there was no sight of Strictly celebrity Wicks despite her announcing their relationship.

Maura Higgins was greeted by friends as she returned to London on Wednesday afternoon, sadly love interest Pete Wicks wasn’t one of them. 

The TV personality was welcomed by a loved one at Heathrow Airport after returning from a three-week visit to Australia for the latest season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

Making her way across Terminal 2, a fresh-faced Maura showed no signs of jet-lag after racking up the air miles on her 23-hour flight from Brisbane.

Evidently in high spirits, she shared a joke with members of her welcome party as she headed for the exit in a hooded top and leggings.  

Following his absence from the Strictly Come Dancing final on Sunday night, the former Love Island contestant will have the opportunity to reconnect with Pete.

Despite making it to the semi-finals of the BBC program with his dance partner Jowita Przystał, the heavily tattooed celebrity was eliminated after their most recent dance-off.

During her time in the jungle, Maura seemingly confirmed that she was dating  Pete after they were seen kissing just weeks before she flew to Australia. 

When asked by former Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse if was single, Maura replied: ‘I am but I was seeing someone before I came in but I’m not in a relationship.’

Reverend Richard Coles – a founding member of ’80s synth-pop group The Communards – then asked: ‘Was it exclusive? Or if I’ve put you on the spot, sorry!’, to which she replied after a long pause: ‘I dunno’.

Maura also revealed that the pair had known each other for longer than fans might expect – and said Pete had pursued her relentlessly.

‘Yeah, we’ve known each other since five years, and never once…” she told Oti.

‘He would always say, “Oh no, like, we are gonna go on a date somewhere.” And I’d be like, “We’re actually not.” And I was deadly serious, “We’re actually not. You’re delusional.”‘

Appearing on This Morning following her elimination from the show she shared her excitement at potentially seeing Pete upon her return to the United Kingdom and admitted he had encouraged her decision to enter the jungle.

She said: ‘Honestly, he’s been so supportive. I didn’t know if he was still in Strictly, I’m so proud of him and he’s proud of me and I can’t wait to see him.’

When asked why she eventually changed her mind, Maura explained: ‘He wouldn’t give up. And then I was like, “Oh fine”. 

‘I brought my friends with me, and I was like, “see it’s a friendship date.” And then the next time I went, just me.’

Recounting their first date, she admitted no expense was spared, noting: ‘We went out for oysters and wine. Yeah, come on. It was super nice.’

As for their chemistry, Maura quipped: ‘Yeah, a lot of fun. We just dial up 24/7 with each other. We’ve got the very same humour.’