Maura Higgins and Molly-Mae Hague's friendship through the years
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Despite initially fighting for the same man on the 2019 series of Love Island, Molly-Mae Hague and Maura Higgins have become the best of friends in recent years, supporting each other through break-ups, big career moves and Molly’s pregnancy.
Now with Maura fresh out of the I’m A Celebrity jungle, and Molly’s upcoming Prime Video docu-series landing soon, the gals couldn’t wait to be reunited. We take a look at their blossoming friendship, over the last five years…
Maura and Molly-Mae's adorable friendship...
First meeting on 2019 Love Island
When Maura first stepped into the Love Island villa on day 10 as a bombshell, Molly-Mae was happily coupled-up with Tommy Fury. But that didn't stop Maura making a beeline for the boxer, telling Molly: "I'm still gonna crack on, I couldn't give a s***e."
Despite some back and forth within the love triangle — and some honestly hilarious one-liners from Maura — Tommy eventually declared his love for Molly and the pair finished the series together in second place.
Besties after Love Island
Despite the initial drama over Tommy, Love Island's Molly and Maura became good friends after leaving the villa. In an interview with YouTubers Chicks In The Office, Maura said: "It's one of the best things for me, coming out with a real, true, genuine friendship. I feel like you blossom even more when you come out, because you get to do the things, like you know, going out for dinners. And it's a friend for life. That's the best part of it."
When asked about her initial attraction to Tommy, Maura said: "It wasn't that deep. I look at Tommy like a brother and he looks at me like a sister, you just can't even think about it. It's icky because it's a brother and sister relationship now. We have such a good friendship and that's all it is. I'm just so incredibly happy for them."
Maura is reported to have spent lots of time at Tommy and Molly's apartment after the villa, with Maura even said to have stayed there to keep Molly company while Tommy was away boxing.
Backing each other through all career milestones
Both Molly and Maura went full girl boss in the years that followed their stint on Love Island – and luckily had each other as support through every career move they made.
As she headed to see Maura ahead of her Ann Summers campaign brunch in London, Molly said on her YouTube channel: "One thing about mine and Maura's relationship, we like back each other 110 per cent in every single thing we do. Like every single event that I've ever had, any meal I've ever hosted, like with any brand or whatever, she's literally always there, she's not missed one thing. We support each other to the ends of the earth."
Maura by Molly’s side throughout her pregnancy in 2022-23
Showing just how close they'd become, in 2022 Maura shared a video from Molly's pregnancy scan in 2022, writing: 'The most precious day meeting you…Molly and Tommy you are going to be the most amazing parents. Love you so much already.'
And it seems Maura knew exactly what the couple planned to name their baby throughout the pregnancy, having gifted Molly a mug with a cryptic message nearly two years before the birth! Maura shared a picture of a Bambi and Thumper mug with the caption: 'Only real ones know why this is special'. Super cute!
Maura meets Bambi
In January 2023, Molly-Mae shared a sweet snap on her Insta of bestie, Maura, meeting baby Bambi at home. Snuggled together in a grey blanket, Maura could be seen planting a kiss on the newborn's head.
Maura plays her part in Molly-Mae’s engagement
Maura revealed in an interview with YouTubers Chicks In The Office that she'd been desperate for Molly to get engaged to her then-boyfriend, Tommy Fury. She told listeners she'd been nudging the boxer, saying to him: "Tommy…you need to propose, where's this ring."
Tommy finally popped the question in July 2023, while on holiday in Ibiza. Maura was thrilled with the news, saying: "He smashed it out of the park."
Sadly it wasn't to be, with the couple calling off their engagement a year later.
Maura supports Molly after split
When Molly-Mae announced her shock split from Bambi's dad, Tommy Fury, in August 2024 Maura was one of the first to offer her support. When Molly broke her silence on Instagram with a photo of her overlooking a lake, almost two weeks after the split, Molly's bestie commented: 'LOVE & ADORE YOU 🤍'. With the friends spending so much time together, we're confident the support continued off-screen too.
Molly supports Maura in the I’m A Celebrity jungle
When Irish beauty, Maura Higgins, stepped into the I'm A Celebrity jungle on day five of the 2024 series, best friend Molly-Mae was quick to comment, writing on Instagram: 'The series has begun.'
She'd previously written on Maura's last social post as she switched off her phone for the foreseeable, simply with the word: 'QUEEN'.
And the support continued throughout the series, with Molly-Mae tuning in regularly to watch Maura tackle life as a jungle campmate. Molly said on Instagram: 'Struck down with a stomach bug and the only thing that got me through today was waiting for tonight's episode.'
She then posted 'WOW. Some woman @maurahiggins,' alongside a photo of Maura on the show.