Surprise attraction
Before he made his sensational return to the Love Island villa, Curtis Pritchard was no stranger to ITV viewers, having formed an unlikely romance with Maura Higgins.
The pair stunned viewers when they shared their mutual attraction on the show back in 2019, and went onto date for eight months before splitting in March 2020.
While Maura has since moved on with a string of other relationships, Curtis has brought their romantic history firmly to the front of viewers’ minds during his appearance on Love Island: All Stars.
The dancer has taken a string of swipes at his ex, and admitted on the show that she ‘totally blanked him’ when they crossed paths.
In the villa, Curtis has also been pursuing bombshell Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, and she was quick to reveal that she and Maura live in the same building.
So as it seems that Curtis can’t escape the presence of Maura, five years after their relationship ended, MailOnline takes a look at their romance…
Surprise attraction
Maura initially confessed to the other girls that she had a crush on Curtis, but it took a string of setbacks before the pair were finally able to be in a couple together
While at times Maura struggling to pin down Curtis on his feelings, they eventually made it to the final, finishing in fourth place
When Maura entered the Love Island villa as a bombshell, Curtis expressed no initial interest in her, instead focusing his attention on ‘half-girlfriend’ Amy Hart.
However, when their romance crumbled due to his behaviour in Casa Amor, Maura suddenly confessed that she was starting to fall for Curtis’ charms.
She told Lucie Donlan: ‘I’d always look at him and think he’s obviously gorgeous, his smile is like f****** hell, he’s very manly and he’s funny, he’s almost the whole package for me.’
While at times Maura struggling to pin down Curtis on his feelings, they eventually made it to the final, finishing in fourth place.
Upon returning to the UK, Curtis shared that he quickly travelled to Ireland to meet Maura’s family, writing on Instagram: ‘Still can’t believe we are out of the villa! Loving this journey with @maurahiggins and being in Ireland to meet her family and friends!’
Shock split
Curtis and Maura’s relationship came to a shock end in March 2020, after just eight months together (pictured in September 2019)
It was feared their relationship could be in trouble at the point of the National Television Awards when it was reported that the ex-couple had a heated argument behind-the-scenes
Curtis and Maura’s relationship came to a shock end in March 2020, after just eight months together.
The split came as a surprise to some fans, thought it was later reported that the pair had a series of rows over her ‘closeness’ with her professional skating partner Alexander Demetriou while competing on Dancing On Ice.
A source told The Sun: ‘Maura spent hours and hours with Alex in rehearsals for weeks and they have got really close.
‘They have grown very friendly and it’s not gone unnoticed with the rest of the cast and crew — or Carlotta.
‘She is furious about their increasingly cosy relationship which has continued despite Maura being knocked out of the compeтιтion.’
It was also reported that Maura felt pressured to stay in her relationship with Curties in a bid to boost their profile – claims that he strongly denied.
It was feared their relationship could be in trouble at the point of the National Television Awards when it was reported that the ex-couple had a heated argument behind-the-scenes.
Insiders said the dancer claimed him and Maura 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.
The Irish star is said to have told friends she felt ‘used’ and ‘like a d*** for trusting him,’ before leaving the party in tears.
Awkward reunion
Curtis and his ex-girlfriend Maura were forced to endure an awkward reunion as they crossed paths for the first time since their split in 2020
The former Love Island stars came face to face again when Curtis appeared on Love Island Games, which Maura co-hosted alongside Maya Jama
While Maura and Curtis certainly cut ties after their romance ended, the pair were forced to come face-to-face in 2023.
Curtis was a contestant on Love Island Games, which Maura, 34, co-hosted alongside Maya Jama.
Maura was tasked with grilling axed Islanders about their time in the villa and among them was none other than Curtis.
Before the cameras rolled, the former couple exchanged a brief and polite hello, asking about each other’s families in a noticeably tense moment.
‘Long time no see, Curtis,’ Maura said before Curtis crumbled into a sheepish laugh.
After the brief pleasantries, Maura wasted no time diving into the details of her ex’s time on Love Island Games.
‘It’s a bit weird to be out,’ Curtis told her, before revealing he’s ‘gutted’ to have left so early in the contest.
She then challenged him on his flirtatious behaviour with the other women in the villa, despite being matched with Lisa Celander.
Brutal swipes
In a recent interview, Maura described Curtis as a ‘why not’ man, explaining she only dated him due to there being limited options in the villa
During his debut on Love Island: All Stars on Monday, Curtis revealed that Maura blanked him when they crossed paths
Since their toe-curling reunion, Maura hasn’t shied away from sharing her true thoughts on their romance.
During a recent appearance on Paul Brunson’s We Need To Talk podcast, Maura described Curtis as a ‘why not’ man, explaining she only dated him due to there being limited options in the villa.
She said: ‘When you’re locked in a house, I say locked but you’re in a house and you’re in there for X amount of time. You’re going to start liking people that you wouldn’t normally like.
‘Not to be mean but you are, you’re in there. I’m pretty sure it would probably be the same on Big Brother. You’re locked in a house; you’re not seeing any other men. You’re going to be like ”why not”.’
During his debut on Love Island: All Stars on Monday, Curtis revealed that Maura blanked him when they crossed paths.
Sharing his experience, Curtis said: ‘We saw each other a couple of times, I said ‘hello’ and she just completely blanked me.’
‘So I would say perhaps not best friends… Or friends, at all,’ the dancer added with a cheeky grin.
Last month it was revealed that Maura is said to be ‘worried’ that her ex Curtis might spill secrets about their past relationship when he appears on the upcoming series of Love Island: All-Stars.
A source told The Sun: ‘Curtis signing for All Stars is more than awkward for Maura just as she’s fallen for Pete and they’ve finally gone public with their love.
‘Her break-up with Curtis wasn’t the best and Maura always worried he’d be the ex that could blab. It’s also less than ideal when she’s hoping to build on her I’m A Celebrity profile and advance her career.
‘Love Island bosses are in the process of confirming the Islanders who will launch January’s show and Curtis might not make that line-up — but he is in the cast of bombshells to land later in the series.’
Surprise link
Since entering the villa, Curtis has been centre stage after being chosen by bombshell Ekin-Su to couple up with her
During a candid chat in Tuesday’s show, Ekin-Su then confessed that she lived in the same building as Curtis’ ex Maura, leaving him squirming
However, it seems that this close link won’t stop Curtis from pursuing Ekin-Su, as a preview for Wednesday’s episode showed the pair sharing a pᴀssionate kiss
Ahead of his arrival in the villa, Curtis said he was looking to settle down and was hoping to find the love of his life in South Africa.
‘I feel like I’m in a different stage in my life. The idea of settling down is a serious idea in my life right now.
‘I haven’t found my true love… that sounds so cheesy doesn’t it. So, I thought, let’s give it another go. It was great fun last time; a lot of emotions.
‘I feel excited to go back. I’m going to have a great fun time and hopefully leave with someone. It’s exciting.’
Since entering the villa, Curtis has been centre stage after being chosen by bombshell Ekin-Su to couple up with her.
During a candid chat in Tuesday’s show, Ekin-Su then confessed that she lived in the same building as Curtis’ ex Maura, leaving him squirming.
However, it seems that this close link won’t stop Curtis from pursuing Ekin-Su, as a preview for Wednesday’s episode showed the pair sharing a pᴀssionate kiss.
LOVE ISLAND: ALL STARS LINE UP 
GABBY ALLEN
AGE: 32
SERIES 3 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
Because it’s the trenches out there! I feel like I have all my ducks in a row, it has been 8 years since I went into the Villa. I now run my businesses and I’ve grown up a lot… but I just haven’t found ‘the one’ yet.
KAZ CROSSLEY
AGE: 29
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
The first experience I had was so amazing and also so much fun! I’m even more mature now so I’m ready to find a relationship.
SCOTT THOMAS
AGE: 36
SERIES 2 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I’ve been on a mᴀssive journey over the last five years; I’ve been working on sobriety, personal growth, self development, when I first went into the Villa I was still a bit of a boy.
RONNIE VINT
AGE: 28
SERIES 11 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I learnt so much from my experience last time. In the Villa I was always in ‘triangles’ and what not, but I feel like I’ve grown up a lot.
LUCA BISH
AGE: 25
SERIES 8 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I had such a good time last time, why not? I get to have a good time with the possibility of ending up with someone.
MARCEL SOMERVILLE
AGE: 39
SERIES 3 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I thought that I’d completed love and found my happily ever after – but the universe had a different plan. Somehow every time my life’s at a crossroads, I’ve got the opportunity to do Love Island. So I thought, why not?
CASEY O’GORMAN
AGE: 28
SERIES 9 LOVE ISLAND AND LOVE ISLAND ALL STARS SERIES 1
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
Getting to go in within the first few days of the show, I feel like I’ve got such a big opportunity to find someone and hopefully come out of the Villa potentially with a girlfriend.
CURTIS PRITCHARD
AGE: 28
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I feel like I’m in a different stage in my life. The idea of settling down is a serious idea in my life right now. I haven’t found my true love.
Nas will be entering the villa almost a year after splitting from girlfriend Eva Zapico four years after they met in the villa
NAS MAJEED
AGE: 28
SERIES 6 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
It was so much fun the first time around, waking up every day with a smile on my face – it feels like a full circle moment.
OLIVIA HAWKINS
AGE: 29
SERIES 9 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I’m still single and getting close to my thirties, I feel ready for it now. I’m ready to meet a nice man. People misinterpret my honesty and how real I am.
CATHERINE AGBAJE
AGE: 24
SERIES 10 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I want to find love again, I want to give it another sH๏τ because it works!
INDIA REYNOLDS
AGE: 34
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I’ve been single for two and a half years and I think it’s time to settle down.
I don’t put any effort into dating and I don’t really like meeting people from apps so I’m looking forward to getting to know people in the Villa.
ELMA PAZAR
AGE: 32
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I want to have fun and I want to give it a proper go this time. My time was cut short the first time round and who knows, I could be the next Sophie (Piper) and Josh (Ritchie) or Molly (Smith) and Tom (Clare).
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu
AGE: 30
SERIES 9 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I want to return to Love Island again because it’s where my journey started and has a special place in my heart. It’s somewhere I’ve laughed, cried and learnt so much. The fact that there’s an opportunity to do it again – why not!
