Maura Higgins and Curtis Pritchard have SPLIT.
The former grid girl, 29, and the professional dancer, 24, who met during Love Island season five, have called time on their relationship after eight months of dating and after just 20 weeks as boyfriend and girlfriend.
A source exclusively told MailOnline: ‘It’s going to be a tough time for Maura. She really tried to make things work with Curtis but unfortunately they’ve gone their separate ways.
EXCLUSIVE: Love Island’s Maura Higgins, 29, and Curtis Pritchard, 24, have SPLIT after just eight months of dating
‘Most of her family and close friends are in Ireland, which will make this time even more difficult for her.’
A representative for Maura confirmed the news to MailOnline.
Maura took to her Instagram stories on Monday evening to explain that it had been a joint decision to part ways.
‘Curtis and I have made the decision to separate. We enjoyed a great experience from our time in the villa and want to thank everyone for supporting our relationship.
Tough time: ‘It’s going to be a tough time for Maura. She really tried to make things work with Curtis but unfortunately they’ve gone their separate ways’ a source told MailOnline
Not meant to be: ‘Most of her family and close friends are in Ireland, which will make this time even more difficult for her’ the source told MailOnline (Pictured on January 15)
‘There is no easy way to get through a break up and no bad feeling on either side. We tried to make it work but it wasn’t to be, and I wish Curtis nothing but the best for the future,’ followed by a broken heart emoji.’
The former couple only made their relationship ‘official’ in October 2019, meaning that they were boyfriend and girlfriend for just 20 weeks in total.
The confirmation of their split comes a day after Maura’s representative told The Sun that the reality stars were ‘still together’ while Curtis’ camp also denied the split.
Their denial followed speculation from fans that the pair have called it quits after they were pictured on separate nights out in London over the weekend.
Over: Maura took to her Instagram stories on Monday evening to explain that it had been a joint decision to part ways
Throwback: The former grid girl and the professional dancer began dating after they met during the summer of 2019 on Love Island season five
The Dancing On Ice star and the Greatest Dancer receptionist hadn’t been pictured together since they hosted the National Television Awards’ backstage interviews on January 28.
Maura was said to have left the NTAs in tears as she engaged in a heated exchange with her then-boyfriend.
Insiders said the dancer claimed he and the Dancing On Ice star only secured the red carpet presenting gig at the ceremony because of his fame, despite the pair both rising to prominence on last year’s Love Island.
Bronze: The exes came in third place on the ITV dating show after Maura’s feisty personality led viewers to keep them on air
20 weeks later: The former couple only made their relationship ‘official’ in October 2019, meaning that they were boyfriend and girlfriend for just 20 weeks in total
According to sources, the former ring girl confided in her friends that she felt ‘used’ and ‘like a d*** for trusting him’, before leaving the star-studded bash.
Maura reportedly vented to her industry pals about the incident as The Sun claimed she said: ‘He said I only got the NTAs gig because of him. It was actually my management that sorted it.
‘He likes to think that he is the one people are after him not me. He’s totally ruined my night.’
Final appearance: The Dancing On Ice star and the Greatest Dancer receptionist hadn’t been pictured together since hosting the NTAs’ backstage interviews on January 28 (pictured)
Ouch! Insiders said the dancer claimed he and the Dancing On Ice star only secured the red carpet presenting gig at the ceremony because of his fame, despite their joint pull
The insider also insisted minders attempted to escort the ballroom pro out the bash, with Curtis refusing to leave and letting loose with his pals instead.
They added: ‘Things were clearly very frosty between them. Curtis seemed to be so drunk he had no idea Maura was just meters away from him.’
Since their stint in the villa, the media personalities have gone on to lead successful careers in their own right.
Used? According to sources, the former ring girl confided in her friends that she felt ‘used’ and ‘like a d*** for trusting him’, before leaving the star-studded bash while Curtis refused to leave
Frosty! ‘Things were clearly very frosty between them. Curtis seemed to be so drunk he had no idea Maura was just meters away from him’ added the insider
Until recently, the model was competing on this year’s Dancing On Ice, and often serves as a showbiz correspondent on This Morning.
She is a brand ambassador for fashion retailer Boohoo, lingerie company Ann Summers, and luxury tanning brand Bellamianta.
Choreographer Curtis, meanwhile, starred as a receptionist on BBC One’s The Greatest Dancer and was a guest judge on Ru Paul’s Drag Race last year.
TV star: Since their villa stint, the model has competed on this year’s Dancing On Ice, secured major brand ambassadorships and often serves as a showbiz correspondent on This Morning
The final photo: On Valentine’s Day, Curtis shared this snap of himself and Maura, along with the hashtag #loveyou, but she failed to wish him a Happy Valentine’s Day on social media
Earlier this month, their romance was rocked by cheating claims on Curtis’ part, but the Dancing With The Stars Ireland personality firmly denied the rumours.
Appearing on Lorraine, the hunk addressed a video which emerged of him hugging a woman in a club on New Year’s Eve.
Curtis said at the time: ‘[The] new year photos [are] nonsense – you can’t hug somebody or talk to somebody in this day and age without something coming out!
A case of the ex: Prior to dating Maura, Curtis was coupled up with Amy Hart in the Love Island villa and famously had his head turned leaving the blonde beauty devastated
‘Me and Maura are completely fine. I was there watching her on Dancing On Ice yesterday.’
During a recent appearance on Heart Radio’s Capital Breakfast, Maura outlined the three main reasons why they have managed to stay together.
She said: ‘I think trust one another, don’t believe everything you read in the press and one main thing – don’t let fame get to your head. You just need to stay grounded,’ she said.
Last ones standing: Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague are now the only couple from Love Island series five who are still in a committed relationship