Pete Wicks drops MAJOR trace that he spent Christmas and New Year with Maura Higgins in look on The One Show

Pete Wicks has dropped another major hint that he spent the festive period with Maura Higgins, in an appearance on The One Show on Tuesday evening.

The former TOWIE star, 36, joined presenters Lauren Laverne and Gabby Logan, as well as Missing You stars Richard Armitage and Rosalind Eleazar for the latest instalment of the BBC programme.

He was on the show to talk about his new documentary Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake, which airs today on free-to-air channel U&W, and U.

It sees the Strictly star immerse himself in the world of dog care at Basildon’s Dog Trust rehoming centre.

However, before he got stuck into discussing the new show, he revealed how he spent the festive period.

Rosalind asked: ‘Have you managed to come out of the Strictly bubble yet?,’ to which Pete mysteriously responded: ‘I spent Christmas and New Year kind of locked away and off-radar.’

I’m A Celeb star Maura, 34, and Pete, sparked rumours they spent Christmas together, after the new couple posted snaps in what seemed like the same pub.

The former Love Islander and podcaster were beaming as they loaded luggage into a car together just a few days before, preparing to head off on a festive getaway.

And Maura later shared a slew of pictures to her Instagram stories, include one of her view from the plane window, before revealing she had checked into the luxurious Glasson Lakehouse, Spa & Golf Club.

As the reality star celebrated with her family, fans questioned whether she’d taken her beau back to meet the parents – and The Sun reported that the duo jetted off together for a romantic break.

She shared a picture of the inside of her gorgeous suite, which featured a standalone copper bathtub and a cream chaise lounge and retails for roughly £600 per night.

According to the hotel’s website, the opulent suite also boasts a flat-screen TV and a balcony.

Later, Maura headed to the pub and both she and Pete posted pictures of their drinks to their Instagram stories.

Maura opted for a glass of red wine while the Strictly star made the most of being in Ireland and went for a pint of Guinness.

The pub looked incredibly cosy and boasted a huge wooden fireplace decorated with Christmas stockings, a pine garland and sparkling fairy lights.

And the relaxation continued on Boxing Day as Maura shared a snap from a huge double bed in the room as they watched The Grinch.

‘Afternoon movie in bed,’ she penned in her caption, with the photo giving fans a glimpse into the stunning room, which featured a big crystal chandellier.

MailOnline contacted representatives for Pete and Maura for comment.

Maura then dropped a huge clue that she enjoyed a cosy staycation with Pete at Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire on Thursday.

After the rumoured couple ‘spent Christmas together’, Maura began the New Year with a night away at the swanky Private Members’ Club & Hotel and hinted she was with Pete again.

Sharing sweet snaps of her wholesome break away, Maura shared a video sitting by the fire against Nat King Cole’s song Let’s Fall In Love.

She wrote: ‘Checked into the Farm.’

The I’m A Celeb star checked into the celeb hotspot, where rooms start from £295-a-night, on top of an annual membership of £2,750.

Maura looked stylish in a brown suede coat and Prada bucket hat, teamed with a chic Chanel bag.

On Sunday, Pete broke his silence on having a ‘very close’ relationship with Maura as he opened up about his private life.

Pete, who found fame on The Only Way Is Essex in 2015, has now discussed being in the public eye and navigating relationships.

Speaking to The Times, 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.’

just hours after touching back down in the UK after her time on I’m A Celeb, Maura and Pete were reunited following weeks of speculation over their romance.

The couple posed for a photo together in a London hotel, cuddling up with a group of friends as they celebrated Maura’s homecoming after her month-long trip to Australia.

Maura had touched down at London Heathrow airport just hours before, but was obviously keen to catch up with Strictly star Pete was soon as possible.

A beaming Maura reposted her pal’s mirror selfie on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday night, with the group of friends seen surrounded by jungle themed balloons.

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.”‘