Maura Higgins looks completely unrecognisable as a ring girl

She is proving a fan favourite in the jungle after arriving as a late entry on I'm A Celeb last week. 

However prior to finding fame as a reality star, Maura Higgins had a career as a ring girl before heading to the Love Island villa in 2019. 

In a resurfaced snap the star looked completely unrecognisable as she showcased her trim physique and put on a busty display in a plunging black sports bra and matching leggings. 

She has worked with promoters including Bellator for both boxing and MMA fights, and appeared at Anthony Joshua's world title defence against Carlos Takam in October 2017.

And the star isn't the only Love Islander to start her career there with former islanders Coco Lodge and Olivia Hawkins all previously spending time in the ring.

During Tuesday's episode the Irish star, 34, referenced her ring girl past as her camp mate Barry McGuigan bashed a crab apart for dinner. 

As the boxing legend grabbed a rock and freed the meat from the shell in one swift bash, Maura joked: 'Round one knockout'. 

Practising her former moves, Maura then paraded around the fire with her hands in the air as she continued: 'Round Three, Barry McGuigan vs Crab'. 

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I'm A Celeb viewers are stunned after discovering Maura Higgins' age as she celebrates her birthday

Maura was catapulted into fame after she made it to the final of the ITV dating show and is often regarded as one of the most iconic 'bombshells' of all time, thanks to her outrageous flirting and attempts to steal Tommy Fury away from Molly Mae Hague.

Since the show she has also enjoyed a stint on Dancing On Ice, and she has also been trying to crack the US, appearing as the social ambassador of Love Island USA, and the host of its spin-off show Aftersun.

The Irish beauty boasts a reported net worth of £3.2million and has worked with brands including Mermade Hair, Youth To The People, Mars The Label, Cosmetips and Ann Summers, who she continues to work with a £150,000-per-year deal.

Maura is also the sole director of a media company The Flutter Effect Ltd, which filed profits of £152,000 in 2022, according to its last accounts.

Companies are said to be 'queuing up to work with her' as she prepares for a huge payday when she returns from her down under adventure. 

Maura is said to be 'excited' about new opportunities following her jungle jaunt with a source saying brands including M.A.C, Calvin Klein and Hugo Boss have been in touch. 

Meanwhile Maura looked almost unrecognisable in an old bikini snap taken prior to Love Island which has resurfaced following her appearance on I'm A Celeb. 

The star has undergone an image overhaul since her initial reality TV days and has spoken candidly with MailOnline about her tweakments.

A photo taken eight years before her arrival on the show showed Maura, aged 21 at the time, looking quite different from her current day appearance. 

Maura looked equally stunning as she showed off her gym-honed figure in a purple bikini, while posing against a white backdrop.

She was wearing a full face of make-up with her glossy brunette locks styled in tumbling curls.

Maura, who posed by pulling at her bikini bottoms, also sported a collection of colourful bracelets.

The former ring girl spoke about cosmetic work done after her appearance on the ITV2 reality dating show in 2021.

She said: 'I got my lips done three months after coming out of Love Island, and lip fillers last five to six months. I haven't had anything done since then; I just let it dissolve.

'But people still assume I've had my lips done, Botox. People are even saying I've had my nose done when I've not actually had any work.'

She explained: 'I had braces on for a long time, and since my teeth have moved, they've actually pushed my lips out slightly. I feel like I don't need it. If I were to get my lips done now with my straight teeth, it just wouldn't be a good look.'

Earlier this week, Maura stripped down to her birthday suit as she celebrated turning 34 with a freezing jungle shower.

The reality star braved the cold water during Monday's episode to kick off her birthday in the jungle.

Maura had her own iconic jungle shower moment as she stripped down to a tiny black triangle bikini complete with floral attachments.

'It's horrid isn't it?' GK said to Maura in a show of support as she shrieked at the cold temperatures.

The TikToker was later heard saying: 'I can't imagine a worse place to spend your birthday, bless her. Maybe we all get a bit of birthday cake for her 24? It's a milestone.'

'Happy birthday,' Jane says in the morning as she hugs Maura. 'What a weird birthday to have.  

Maura later reflected: 'Birthday in the jungle! This is definitely going to be one I will never, ever forget.'

Meanwhile, Tulisa decided to sleep in. That is, until the camp decided to wake her up with the sound of musical theatre.

Dean said: 'Now that she's out of the Leaders' Lodge, Tulisa has warned me that there must be no musical theatre early in the morning, so I made it my mission to make sure the camp woke up this morning with the sound of lovely singing!' 

Following the updated allocations from new leaders Barry and Danny, the campmates set about completing their chores for the day. 

This meant birthday girl Maura was left with the chore of cleaning the dunny with Coleen. Not a usual birthday experience, but nonetheless, one she certainly wouldn't be forgetting anytime soon.

Ahead of her arrival in the jungle, Maura admitted to MailOnline that she 'hasn't thought much about jumping in the jungle shower', made famous by Myleene Klass's white bikini moment in 2006.

Teasing that it could be more chaos than sexy, 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 bikinis, 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.'