Maura Higgins set for uncomfortable reunion with ex’s dad in I’m A Celebrity camp

Maura Higgins could be set for an awkward reunion when she enters the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! camp.

The 2019 Love Island star, 33, is reportedly making a trip Down Under in a matter of weeks where she’ll face Bushtucker Trials in a bid to become the new Queen of the Jungle.

Joining her, according to a leaked line-up, will be boxing legend Barry McGuigan, 63, whose son Maura dated several years back.

Shane, 36, and Maura were an item six years ago before she found fame on the ITV2 dating show.

The Irish beauty and boxing coach Shane got together when Maura was working as a ring girl and when he was commentating on a match in 2018.

Speaking about how sparks flew between them, a source told The Sun at the time: ‘Maura has brains and beauty and she quickly caught Shane’s eye.’

However, it seems distance was a dealbreaker, as the insider added: ‘They went on a few dates and had fun, but Maura lives in Ireland.

‘Shane is running his successful boxing gym in London, and then she was travelling for work, so it wasn’t easy to pull off.’

On Maura and Shane’s split, they said: ‘There were no hard feelings when it ended. It turned out to be short-lived and the spark fizzled out.’

Shane is one of three sons of Barry and his wife, Sandra, who also share Blane, 40, and Jake, 36. Their daughter, Danika, died from colon cancer in 2019 at 33.

Since soaring to stardom on Love Island, Maura has had a string of high-profile romances, including with Curtis Pritchard on the show.

She went on to date the likes of Strictly Come Dancing pro Giovanni Pernice, and split from stunt performer Bobby Holland Hanton earlier this year.

The influencer is now believed to be dating Strictly star Pete Wicks, having been seen putting on a very amorous display with the Towie alum, 36.

However, if the reports are true, Maura and Pete will have to say their goodbyes for a while as she heads to Australia for the experience of a lifetime.

Other rumoured stars joining her in I’m A Celeb 2024 include N-Dubz star Tulisa, Wag Coleen Rooney, McFly’s Danny Jones, Coronation Street’s Alan Halsall, and TikTok sensation GK Barry.

Loose Woman Jane Moore, ex-Strictly pro Oti Mabuse, presenter Melvin Odoom, and Reverend Richard Coles are also names rumoured.

Maura is believed to have replaced Tommy Fury, who dropped out at the last minute.

It’s said Tommy, who split from Molly-Mae Hague earlier this year, opted for the more lucrative offer of a boxing rematch against KSI over Australia with Ant and Dec.

Speaking about the former Dancing On Ice contestant’s signing, an insider said: ‘With Tommy Fury pulling out, it gave show bosses the opportunity to look at other Love Island stars, and Maura stood out as the perfect candidate.

‘She’ll bring a bit of glamour to the jungle and make a brilliant campmate because she’s got a great sense of humour and is bound to get on with everyone.’

Meanwhile, boxer Barry was a late casting too, having reportedly replaced Ally McCoistin in the line-up.

A source told The Mirror: ‘Barry is a bona fide sporting legend, and he’s a great person to have heading for the jungle.

‘When he rose to fame in the 1980s as the WBA featherweight boxing champ, he became a non-sectarian ambassador.

‘He fought for both Ireland and Great Britain and was loved and respected on both sides of the divide. There’s not many who can say that.’

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! returns to ITV1 and ITVX this month.

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