Maura Higgins' Blunt Response to Ex Pete Wicks' New Romance with Olivia Attwood
Reality television personality Maura Higgins has reportedly offered a brutally honest reaction to the revelation that her former boyfriend Pete Wicks has entered into a secret romantic relationship with her longtime professional rival Olivia Attwood. The 35-year-old television presenter appears completely unfazed by the development, according to sources close to her.
Secret Restaurant Kiss Sparks Romance Rumors
The new relationship came to light when 34-year-old presenter Olivia Attwood and 37-year-old podcaster Pete Wicks were photographed sharing an intimate kiss at a London restaurant. The public display of affection clearly indicated their friendship had evolved into something more serious. This romantic development comes just two months after Olivia's separation from professional footballer husband Bradley Dack.
Maura Higgins, who dated Pete Wicks during the winter of 2024, has apparently moved on completely from their relationship. Sources speaking to The Daily Mail revealed her indifferent attitude toward the new couple. "She couldn't care less," one insider stated. "There is absolutely zero love lost there with Pete, and besides, she's on to way bigger and better things. In fact, she's laughing from across the Atlantic."
Friends Reveal Maura's True Feelings About Past Relationship
Close friends of Maura Higgins have provided additional insight into her perspective on the relationship with Pete Wicks. One friend described the romance as "real for Maura but that doesn't mean it wasn't considered low-rent for her." Another added more bluntly: "The fact that he's now dating Olivia Attwood is laughable, Maura knows she dodged a bad boyfriend there."
The relationship between Maura and Pete reportedly ended in February after several months together. While initial reports suggested they "remained close" and maintained a "deep connection" despite deciding to part ways, later revelations painted a different picture. Sources claimed Maura discovered Pete was messaging numerous women online, leading to their separation after six months together.
Maura seemingly confirmed these rumors when, while leaving a restaurant on Valentine's Day, she responded to a fan's question about Pete's whereabouts with the cutting remark: "I don't know, probably cheating."
Longstanding Professional Rivalry Between Maura and Olivia
The romantic entanglement becomes particularly complicated due to the well-documented tension between Maura Higgins and Olivia Attwood. Friends close to Olivia have previously expressed frustration about what they perceive as Maura stepping into similar professional spaces and "copying" her career trajectory.
The rivalry reportedly intensified when Maura signed with PR agency Align, which specializes in developing careers in the United States. Olivia had been working with the agency first, creating what insiders described as an "awkward" situation when both women were put forward for similar opportunities. Olivia eventually decided to move on from the agency, feeling the overlap had become uncomfortable.
Their professional similarities have continued to grow, with both securing photo shoots for The Times and becoming regular fixtures on reality and daytime television. Each has also appeared on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! while expanding their profiles in the American market.
Awkward Encounters and Similar Career Moves
The professional tension reportedly reached its peak at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in New York last November, where Olivia and Maura arrived wearing strikingly similar black dresses. More recently, Maura shared an Instagram photo with Parisian fashion influencer Michael Coste just days after Olivia had posted a nearly identical image with him.
A source told The Sun at the time: "Olivia is obviously going through a lot at the moment and trying to piece her life back together, but she has been left bemused that Maura has continued to mirror her playbook. She even jokes with her friends that Maura is her stalker."
The insider added: "There is no love lost between them and they have become very skilled at ignoring each other on the red carpet and at parties. Olivia is just amazed that these things keep happening, although she knows that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."
Pete's Radio Show Created Previous Tension
Interestingly, Pete Wicks announced a new Kiss FM radio show called The Sunday Roast, co-hosted with Olivia Attwood, just weeks after his split from Maura Higgins. Sources claimed Maura was unhappy about his friendship with Olivia at the time and questioned his decision to work with her.
"Pete didn't help the situation with Maura and Olivia, as Maura wasn't happy with their friendship," a source told The Sun. "She asked him if he really had to do the radio show with Olivia, as she felt his loyalties should lie with her. The whole situation left her feeling uneasy."
New Romance Details Emerge
According to recent reports, Olivia Attwood has "always been drawn to Pete" and "carried a torch for him"—possibly even while he was in a relationship with Maura Higgins. Sources speaking to Closer Magazine described their hidden relationship: "The secrecy has made it exciting, and they've spent a lot of time together—they love nights in watching movies together."
The publication's insider noted that Olivia and Pete "can't keep their hands off each other" and provided insight into their relationship dynamic: "Olivia is quite dramatic and intense, whereas Pete is very laid back, but somehow it works."
According to The Sun, Pete and Olivia struck up their romance at the Brit Awards in February and later stayed at the same hotel. Another source clarified the timing: "Their passionate romance only started in the last few weeks, since she has split from Bradley; there was no overlap."
Whether there was any emotional overlap with Maura and Pete's relationship remains uncertain, but Maura Higgins' reported reaction suggests she has moved far beyond any concerns about her ex-boyfriend's new romantic choices.
