Maura Higgins breaks silence on Joey Essex kiss 👀
They were photographed kissing at the Pride of Britain awards
Celebrities were out in force on the red carpet at this year's Pride of Britain Awards on Monday 24th October, as they helped celebrate the nation's unsung heroes.
As well as Love Island's Molly-Mae Hague showing off her baby bump, her BFF Maura Higgins also attended the star-studded ceremony, but it was her antics after the show which really got people talking.
Following her split from Strictly Come Dancing's Giovanni Pernice last year, Maura was photographed seemingly kissing former TOWIE star Joey Essex, before the pair left in a taxi together.
With fans quick to ask what was going on between the two, Maura has now seemingly responded to the kiss, posting a video with her makeup artist Krystal Dawn.
Sharing a video of Maura licking her face, Krystal wrote: 'She's a licker', with Maura adding: 'It's how I greet people'.
Although Joey has so far remained silent on the matter, he has posted videos of himself in training for the 2023 series of Dancing On Ice.
Check out which Love Island stars have dated cast from other series:
Luke Mabbott and Lucie Donlan
In July 2020, Winter Love Island star Luke Mabbott and Love Island 2019 star Lucie Donlan announced they were dating! The pair grew close during lockdown and in July then enjoyed a lovely little UK getaway together!
Luke M's Love Island BFF Luke T told the Mail Online, "I was asking him about it for weeks but he just told me last weekend. He's been cool, I think they're well suited and I'm happy for them. Hopefully they last."
Well, the pair certainly have lasted! They continue to flood social media on the daily with cute snaps together, looking VERY loved-up.
Wes Nelson and Arabella Chi
Despite leaving the Love Island 2018 villa with Megan Barton-Hanson, the pair split in March 2019, with 2019 Islander Arabella Chi catching Wes' eye on the show.
When Arabella left the villa, the pair enjoyed a number of dates before going official in August 2019.
Although the pair moved in together, just nine months after they went official, reports suggested that Wes and Arabella had split in April 2020.
Kaz Crossley and Theo Campbell
Following Love Island 2018 star Kaz Crossley's split from fellow Islander Josh Denzel, Kaz started dating 2017 star Theo Campbell.
The couple made things official and later attended events together, enjoyed a number of holidays and looking very loved-up.
Kaz Crossley and Theo Campbell
In August 2019, Kaz proved her love for her man by flying out to Ibiza after Theo lost the sight in his right eye following an accident involving a champagne cork.
Admitting how 'proud' she was of his bravery following the accident, Kaz wrote, 'It's been a hard 24 hours no one here speaks English and he was taken for hours at one point and I had no clue he was in surgery again. I've stayed in his room over night and just want to take him home. He's so brave and positive hopefully it will get better thanks for your kind messages.'
However, in February 2021, Theo confirmed the pair have now split, admitting he got 'slinged'.
Michael Griffiths and Ellie Brown
Love Island 2019 star Michael Griffiths seemed to confirm he was dating 2018 Ellie Brown after the pair both appeared on Celebrity Ex On The Beach. The former fireman even called Ellie 'the one'.
However, just hours later, Ellie denied the reports, admitting they only posted the photo to promote the show.
Joanna Chimonides and Jack Fowler
After Joanna Chimonides was brutally dumped from the Love Island villa in 2019, fans of the show were left in shock when she was met at the airport by Love Island 2018 hunk Jack Fowler.
Joanna Chimonides and Jack Fowler
Joanna was quick to clear up the rumours, revealing she's been pals with Jack for a number of years.
However, fast forward to August 2024, and Joanna and Jack were spotted looking very cosy on a boat trip in Italy. The pair are yet to confirm if they are dating.
Max Morley and Laura Anderson
Although Max Morley won Love Island 2015 alongside Jessica Hayes, the pair split shortly after leaving the villa and Max more or less removed himself from the spotlight.
That was until he started dating Love Island 2018 star Laura Anderson, with the pair posting cute snaps together on Instagram.
Max Morley and Laura Anderson
Things all ended in sadness though! Just a few months after enjoying a holiday in Barbados, Laura and Max split amidst cheating fears, with Laura blocking her former beau on Instagram.
Laura went on to date Dane Bowers and Gary Lucy, and now she's a proud mum!
Kendall Rae-Knight and Kem Cetinay
Love Island 2017 winner Kem Cetinay and 2018 Islander Kendall Rae-Knight were spotted on a 'date' in 2021, with the pair even sharing a kiss!
However, speaking to heat on Love Island: Under the Duvet, Kendall revealed the pair were just friends, saying, "Aaaah, yeah, we're just friends."
Antigoni Buxton and Jack Fowler
Antigoni Buxton is in the Love Island 2022 villa now, but before entering she dated 2018 Islander Jack Fowler for a number of months.
After splitting from her Love Island boyfriend Curtis Pritchard, Maura went on to date Chris Taylor, before revealing she was in a relationship with dancer Giovanni Pernice in July last year.
However, despite claims the pair were about to move in together, Maura and Giovanni split not long after, with the Strictly star releasing a statement.
He wrote on social media: 'Hey guys, I hope everyone had a great Monday.
'Going into another wonderful training week – thank you so much for your amazing messages & your support this weekend. I get to live my dream every single day because of you – so thank you. Thank you, Thank you.
'I wanted to say a couple of things...
'Firstly, great relationships with great people can come to a natural end. This has been the case for me recently. There was absolutely no wrong-doing & this should be the end of any speculation.
'Whilst I respect & understand interest in my personal life, wouldn't it be fantastic to instead use this space to raise awareness of subjects & issues which need the attention.' (sic)
Since then, Maura hasn't gone pubic with any other romances, but she was strongly linked to footballer Connor Wickham earlier this year.
However, in July this year, Maura replied to a fan on Instagram saying: 'Like, yes I'm single. I'm very single. I couldn't be any more f---ing single. I may as well just go into Love Island again.'
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