Pete Wicks Girlfriend Drama: From Maura Higgins to a New Love Island Flame

Pete Wicks Relationship and Bio

Not because of a fight on TOWIE or a contentious Celebs Go Dating moment, but rather because of his rumored developing romance with a new Love Islander, Pete Wicks has once again found his name lighting up gossip columns and trending lists in recent months. The pattern is well-known: Pete becomes involved, fans conjecture, the media swarms, and soon a new chapter is added to his timeline of love. However, this time around, the story has been especially captivating, partly because of the public’s enduring interest in his well-publicized breakup with Maura Higgins.

Their romance started while they were both famous on television. After months of speculation, Pete and Maura finally confirmed their relationship with a kiss at the Pride of Britain Awards. More than just love, that one moment—which was prominently captured on camera and extensively circulated—announced the union of two influential reality TV stars. A slice of public fantasy shaped by the intersection of love, fame, and relatability was captured by Pete, who is famous from The Only Way Is Essex, and Maura, who first appeared on Love Island and later starred in I’m A Celebrity. They were on the verge of becoming a power couple.

For a brief time, the couple had created a captivating story by working together on public appearances and showing up together on red carpets. However, the momentum was short-lived. Reports of their breakup surfaced in February 2025, and almost immediately after, interest in Pete’s future plans grew. Soon after, he was seen with Samantha Kenny, another former Love Island contestant. Despite being quiet at first, this development soon gained attention, especially after a source close to the couple disclosed that they had been on a few casual dates and were “really hitting it off.”

For those who don’t know, Samantha Kenny made an appearance on Love Island during Season 11. Despite her brief appearance on the show, she left a lasting impression. She made a lasting impression that kept her in the spotlight after the show, with fans describing her as quick-witted and remarkably self-assured. Samantha has been thrust back into the spotlight after being connected to Pete Wicks. The two of them create a story that works especially well for showbiz coverage because it combines well-known names with fresh faces.

This change is indicative of a larger pattern that is showing up in the reality TV industry. Dating shows have evolved over the last ten years into venues for both long-term fame and love, transforming relationships into a component of one’s personal brand. By maintaining relationships that feel approachable to fans while still being ambitious enough to pique curiosity, Pete has been able to maintain his position at the center of that current. He has been incredibly forthcoming about his feelings, discussing therapy, heartbreak, and the challenges of contemporary dating in public. The feeling of distance that frequently exists between celebrities and their fans has been greatly lessened by this openness.

Pete and Maura’s relationship had a particularly complex emotional tone. Both had previously dealt with the emotional toll of criticism from others. They were very supportive of each other during their time together—Maura even went with Pete when he was on Strictly Come Dancing. Their relationship felt very real, as seen in the unguarded pictures and sly interviews, which made their split even more painful. After Maura was later spotted by herself on Valentine’s Day, fans’ speculations were rekindled.

Pete’s strategy appears to have significantly improved since then. He never shies away from a headline, but he seems more reserved yet focused, preferring low-key activities and quieter dinners to planned PDA. His new dynamic with Samantha is “fun and natural,” according to sources, who also say that she adds a lighter energy that is “refreshingly low-maintenance.” Considering how previous romances have featured on-screen arguments and highly visible fallouts, that change is noteworthy.

Additionally, Pete’s dating path has a cultural impact. He has unwittingly contributed to a shift in public perceptions of male vulnerability with each high-profile relationship. Pete isn’t your average emotionally aloof reality star. He has spoken candidly about therapy. On national television, he has shed tears. He has discussed with interviewers the pressure to appear both romantic and masculine for the general public. His openness has turned him from tabloid fodder into a grudging advocate for emotional honesty, particularly among high-profile men.

That story is consistent with more general conversations regarding mental health in entertainment. Pete’s voice feels especially relevant as more celebrities come forward to discuss the psychological toll that relationships and fame take. Vulnerability is not framed by him as weakness. Rather, he portrays it as development—an evolution molded by traumatic events, failed romantic relationships, and continuous education. His narrative, which is still in progress, has a tone that is incredibly powerful at engaging audiences weary of prepared public relations platitudes and immaculate façades.

Time will tell how Samantha Kenny’s relationship with Pete develops. However, for the time being, their relationship is a step in the right direction for both. For Pete, it’s another opportunity to investigate compatibility outside of the reality drama fishbowl. It’s a reintroduction for Samantha that might help her develop a more grounded identity after Love Island. Although their relationship is currently low-key, it has the potential to significantly impact narratives about dating, maturation, and public vulnerability.

Pete has been largely silent in recent months—no joint interviews, no Instagram declarations, and no ostentatious photo shoots. Surprisingly, that silence may have been his most mature action to date. After years of tabloid drama and front-page romances, a more subdued relationship seems not only sensible but also perfectly timed.