Maura Higgins and Joey Essex are reportedly “smitten” with each other, after a series of “secret dates”.
The Love Islander and the TOWIE star first sparked romance rumours last week, when they were papped kissing backstage at the Pride Of Britain Awards.
According to OK! Magazine, the pair started secretly seeing each other before the awards show, and they are reportedly “head over heels” about each other.
A source told the publication: “Joey thinks Maura is the one for him. He’s smitten with her – and she’s smitten with him.”
“They were secretly seeing each other before the awards and feel they’ve met their soulmates. They couldn’t take their eyes off each other that night and couldn’t hide their feelings. They are head over heels!”
“They’ve been keeping it quiet until now because it’s early days. They’re still getting to know each other but they make each other happy.”
“Joey has wanted a girlfriend for a long time. He’s very flirty but he’s never been able to find the right girl,” the insider added.
“Maura, meanwhile, has always gone for the wrong guy – and Joey has come along at just the right time.”
In photos published by MailOnline last week, Maura was seen locking lips with Joey at the Red Bar in London’s Grosvenor House.
The reality stars put on an amorous display as they were also seen sharing an intimate hug before they left the venue in a taxi with friends.
BREAKING: Maura Higgins and Joey Essex enjoy steamy kiss as they leave Pride of Britain together https://t.co/uQsMThL9pl
— OK! Magazine (@OK_Magazine) October 25, 2022
Maura was rumoured to be dating footballer Connor Wickham in May, after she jetted to Paris with a mystery man.
However, the 31-year-old later revealed she “couldn’t be any more single” during a Q&A on Instagram.
After a follower asked if she was single in July, Maura said: “This question just never stops coming up. Like every single Q&A I do ‘are you single, are you in a relationship, are you dating, have you a bae?’”
“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!”
Maura was linked to Connor after her split from Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice last October, after four months together.
It’s understood their relationship hit the rocks just days after they moved in together, and Maura was said to be “devastated” at the time.
Prior to her relationship with Giovanni, Maura dated her Love Island co-stars Chris Taylor and Curtis Pritchard.
Meanwhile, Joey struck up a romance with Maria Thattil when they appeared on the Australian version of I’m A Celebrity earlier this year.
He also dated his TOWIE co-star Sam Faiers in the past, as well as models Brenda Santos and Amy Willerton.
The reality star is currently training for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice, while Maura is hotly tipped to host Big Brother when it returns next year.
