I’m A Celebrity star Maura Higgins has revealed she is still struggling with the after effects from her trip to Las Vegas just days before she enters the jungle.
The Love Island alum, 33, jetted to the U.S. for a boozy trip with her pals, leaving her fans confused after she was heavily tipped to join the show’s line-up.
However, Maura actually managed to fit in the trip just days before her jungle arrival as she prepares to join the camp later this week.
In an interview with MailOnline Maura revealed she is ‘still hungover’ from the holiday and has done no preparation for her TV appearance.
She candidly told us: ‘I’m still on Vegas time. I’m like no well. I’m hungover. Sin City has killed me, not good. I feel like your man from the hangover. Like, the shakes and everything.
‘It was amazing, just very exhausting. Proper full on. When we landed, just the jet lag, no, asleep. I have no clue what day it is, I don’t know where I am.’
I’m A Celebrity star Maura Higgins has revealed she is still struggling with the after effects from her trip to Las Vegas just days before she enters the jungle
In an interview with MailOnline Maura revealed she is ‘still hungover’ from the holiday and has done no preparation for her TV appearance
The Love Island alum, 33, jetted to the U.S. for a boozy trip with her pals, leaving her fans confused after she was heavily tipped to join the show’s line-up
Maura also admitted she ‘hasn’t thought much about jumping in the jungle shower, made famous by Myleene Klᴀss’ white ʙικιɴι moment.
Teasing that it could be more chaos than Sєxy, she joked: ‘I mean, I’d probably fall over and break my leg. Like, that’s probably what happened to me.
‘I’ve packed my ʙικιɴιs, but I haven’t really thought much about it. I’m a bit worried about that water being freezing cold. I hate cold water, so, um, I could be the girl that doesn’t shower the whole time.’
Before Maura’s arrival in Australia it was reported that Pete’s reported ‘inability to commit’ to her, has led her to definitively state ‘I’m single’ when asked whether she was dating him.
The rebuff comes just days after Pete, 36, and Maura enjoyed a date night last week before she jetted off ahead of her entry into the I’m A Celebrity jungle.
She added: ‘I’m not [in a relationship with Mr Wicks]. I’ve been on dates with many people. I mean, I date, but I’m very much single. Everyone goes on dates.’
Last Monday the pair were seen attending a Ludovico Einaudi performance at the London Palladium and a month before were spotted kissing outside a restaurant in East London.
However, Maura actually managed to fit in the trip just days before her jungle arrival as she prepares to join the camp later this week
Before Maura’s arrival in Australia it was reported that Pete’s reported ‘inability to commit’ to her, has led her to definitively state ‘I’m single’ when asked whether she was dating him (pictured together)
This came despite it being reported that the EsSєx lothario had been ‘growing close’ to his Polish dance partner, 30, and introduced her to his mum.
The Irish beauty had previously said of Pete: ‘I adore him, he’s an amazing person. Do you know what’s so weird? We met very soon after me coming off Love Island and we just instantly clicked.’
She also revealed that she had not spoken to him about her upcoming three-week stint on the ITV show and addressing rumours of him flying out to Australia, she said: ‘I know nothing, he’s not said that to me anyway.’
It was revealed by the Mail that Pete was planning to make a trip Down Under if he was booted off Strictly early to support his best friend, Sam Thompson, who is presenting the ITV spin-off show, and Maura.
She will enter the I’m A Celebrity jungle on Thursday night as a late arrival alongside the Communards musician turned priest Reverend Richard Coles, joining her friend and former X-Factor judge, Tulisa Contostavlos, 36, and Coleen Rooney, 39.
Asked who was flying out to Australia to meet her when she leaves the show, she said: ‘Some of my friends said they would but I don’t know, it’d be a nice surprise whoever’s there.’
She had previously said of Pete: ‘I adore him, he’s an amazing person. Do you know what’s so weird? We met very soon after me coming off Love Island and we just instantly clicked’
This despite it being reported that the EsSєx lothario had been ‘growing close’ to his Polish dance partner Jowita Przystal, 30, and introduced her to his mum
Maura will make a later arrival in camp alongside Rev Richard Coles , 62
Aligning herself with her future campmate, Maura insisted she was ‘Team Coleen’ when it came to the sensational Wagatha Christie trial, in which Rebekah Vardy accused Wayne Rooney’s wife of defamation in 2022.
She said: ‘I’m excited to meet her [Coleen]. I would do the exact same as what she did. Put up something on my Instagram story and just have certain people view it to catch that person out. That is the way my brain would work.’
Throwing her support behind Coleen will undoubtedly annoy Rebekah, 42, who has been outspoken about her nemesis Wag’s appearance in the Jungle.
But when it came to Pete, who found fame on The Only Way is EsSєx, Maura was less willing to divulge her opinions.
For weeks it’s been rumoured the reality star was a contestant on the ITV flagship show and Maura has done her best to throw fans off the scent in the past few days
She will be joining the likes of Coleen and N-Dubz’s Tulisa Contostavlos for three weeks living a diet of rice and beans and camping among spiders and snakes.
Strictly’s Oti Mabuse and McFly singer Danny Jones are among the other signings this year.
Her whirlwind trip to Las Vegas had fans convinced she wasn’t joining this year’s I’m A Celebrity as a late entry.
Her whirlwind trip to Las Vegas had fans convinced she wasn’t joining this year’s I’m A Celeb as a late entry. But MailOnline can reveal Maura Higgins will arrive in Australia ‘imminently’
But in an attempt to squeeze out every last ounce of luxury from her lavish lifestyle, Maura accepted a paid-for trip to Vegas with the beauty brand Space NK
But MailOnline can reveal Maura is simply cutting it fine with her partying in Sin City over the weekend.
An ITV source said: ‘She will be arriving this week, the brand trip was always part of the schedule as Maura had agreed to it and it fit into her arrival dates for the Jungle.’
In an attempt to squeeze out every last ounce of luxury from her lavish lifestyle, Maura accepted a paid-for trip to Vegas with the beauty brand, Space NK, which she knew would be cutting it fine when it came to her arrival Down Under.
Staying at the 500 dollars a night Palazzo at the Venetian H๏τel, Maura was joined by the likes of Stacey Solomon and was flown out on Thursday first class to Las Vegas.
Treated to morning facials and extravagant dinners of calamari at Nobu and lobster at the Bellagio, it’s a far cry from what’s in store for her in Australia, a diet that will consist of rice and beans.
After watching Adele at her Vegas residency, when the Easy on Me singer even interrupted her song to compliment Maura on her scarlet red suit, the Love Island star went on to party the night away with friends.
Playing into how last minute the trip was before the Jungle, Maura teased fans that she was headed to Australia by posting a picture of an aeroplane with the caption, ‘Where to?!’
She will join the likes of Coleen Rooney, Oti Mabuse, and Danny Jones in the jungle as a late entry
When she later popped up in Las Vegas, fans who were expecting her to arrive at Brisbane Airport, were sent into a tailspin claiming she had already quit the Jungle.
But ITV knows she is too good a signing to let go.
When she entered the Love Island villa in 2019 with her non-nonsense confrontational demeanour, ITV bosses could not believe their luck and the Irish star quickly became a fan favourite.
And the network is no doubt hoping for the same approach from Maura when it comes to the I’m A Celebrity jungle which will make her the perfect late arrival to shake the camp up.
I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! continues Tuesday at 9pm on ITV1, STV and ITVX
I’M A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE UP
OTI MABUSE
Oti Mabuse has already two Strictly glitterballs under her belt
AGE: 34
OCCUPATION: Professional dancer
FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020.
DANNY JONES
Danny Jones is one of the bookies’ favourites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: McFly singer
FAMOUS FOR: Danny is one of the lead vocalists and the lead guitarist for pop-rock band McFly.
He is also a coach on The Voice UK.
BARRY MCGUIGAN
Former boxer Barry McGuigan is heading into the jungle
AGE: 63
OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer
FAMOUS FOR: Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the WBA and lineal featherweight тιтles from 1985 to 1986.
GK BARRY
GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women
AGE: 25
OCCUPATION: TikTok star
FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle, and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel.
DEAN MCCULLOUGH
ITV bosses are hoping Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in the camp
AGE: 32
OCCUPATION: Radio 1 DJ
FAMOUS FOR: Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I’m A Celeb bosses, in the hope that he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views.
Earlier this year it was announced Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, after previously fronting the afternoon slot.
JANE MOORE
Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women
AGE: 62
OCCUPATION: Journalist
FAMOUS FOR: Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women between 1999 and 2002.
She returned as a regular panellist from 2013 onwards.
Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from husband of 20 years, Showbiz agent, Gary Farrow.
MELVIN ODOOM
Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021
AGE: 44
OCCUPATION: DJ and TV presenter
FAMOUS FOR: His work on radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.
He also had a primetime stint on Strictly back in 2016.
COLEEN ROONEY
Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: WAG
FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against arch rival Rebekah Vardy.
Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, exceeding Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.
ALAN HALSALL
Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs on Coronation Street
AGE: 42
OCCUPATION: Actor
FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I’m A Celeb last year, after undergoing ACL Reconstruction surgery.
Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and no doubt he will draw in a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap.
TULISA
Tulisa is making her career comeback after reuniting with N-Dubz last year
AGE: 36
OCCUPATION: Singer and former X Factor judge
FAMOUS FOR: Tulisa reunited with N-Dubz last year for a tour after first finding fame with the band in 2007.
In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and went on to launch her debut solo album, The Female Boss.
She released her fourth album with N-Dubz last year.