Maura Higgins addresses Pete Wicks dating speculation ahead of I'm A Celeb stint

Former Love Island favourite Maura Higgins has candidly discussed her personal life and Pete Wicks as she gears up for her jungle adventure.

Set to make her camp debut on Thursday, Maura has been the subject of intense rumours linking her romantically to Strictly's Pete Wicks, especially after they were seen sharing a kiss at the Pride of Britain Awards last month. When quizzed about whether she had been on a date with Pete, she answered with a tease: "I mean, I've been on a date with many people."

However, Maura is quick to downplay any talk of a relationship. "I'm not [dating]. Where have you heard that? I date but I'm very much single," she insists.

She expresses frustration over the fascination with her love life, remarking, "Honestly, I just think the interest in my dating life is so boring. People go on dates. Like everyone goes on dates, but then it suddenly becomes that I am in a relationship with this person, or that person."

Fresh from a raucous Las Vegas party, Maura is heading straight to Australia, though she admits to feeling worse for wear. "Honestly, I'm not good....I feel like I'm in The Hangover, I've even got the shakes," she jokes, reports the Mirror.

Disoriented by the whirlwind of events, she adds, "I have no clue what time it is, I don't know where I am. In fact, I've done the opposite of preparing myself [for the jungle]. I've tried not to think about it, because when I think about it, I get so much anxiety."

Maura's unconventional preparation for the Jungle can be excused. She will be only the second Love Islander, following Olivia Attwood, to feature on the ITV show tomorrow... and she is committed to representing past contestants of the show.

"I just don't want to let people down, because everyone's been DMing me, saying 'Oh my God, I hope you're doing the show.'" she shares. "I don't want to back out of the trials and be the biggest wimp in the camp."

She reveals that her mother was astounded when she announced her participation in the Jungle. "She nearly died. She went: 'Maura, how are you going to do that? ' She is baffled as I'm more of an indoor girl...I like my hotels. I've never slept outside," she admits.

Even at festivals, she has always opted for hotel accommodation over camping. "I'm always like, 'no, get me back to a hotel,'" she chuckles.

The trials also seem like they could pose a significant challenge. "If spiders go over the top of my head, I might just die," she confesses. "I'm not a nervous person at all. I don't get anxiety. But for this show, when I think about it, I'm like, 'Oh God'".

ITV chiefs are likely hoping her late arrival will shake things up in the camp - potentially causing some drama. But Maura is optimistic about integrating well - and she's eager to hear all about Coleen Rooney's Wagatha Christie saga.

"I want to talk to her about that....I'm bit nosy like that," she confesses. "I would do the exact same and put up something on my story and just have certain people view it to catch that person out. That is the way my brain would work".

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! airs from 9pm ITV1 and ITVX