Ireland’s not my home any Maur
Love Island star misses family but is now settled in London
Lockdown helped me slow down. It’s been my first break MAURA HIGGINS
YESTERDAY
MAURA Higgins ruled out a move back to Ireland and declared: “England is home for me now.”
The Longford-born star, 30, is based in London where her profile has grown since appearing on Love Island in 2019.
She told the Irish Mirror: “I miss being able to go home and see my family and friends back in Ireland whenever I like, but I’m always on Facetime to my family back home.
“England is definitely home for me now – I feel really settled over here.
“It’s hard not being able to fly back to see my friends and family as often as I’d like to but lockdown has enabled me to slow down a bit.
“It’s really the first break I’ve had since leaving Love Island.”
After a “crazy” few years following her stint on the reality dating show, Maura said the break has been welcomed by her and has allowed her to take a step back and prioritise what’s important to her in life.
She added: “Honestly I can’t believe it was two years ago.
“It was a crazy experience. Like coming out, it was very overwhelming and I still remember getting my phone for the first time and they were filming and all I wanted to do was turn my phone on and speak to my family.
“I always look forward rather than backwards, so I wouldn’t say there is anything I would change.
“I do think the pandemic has made everyone appreciate the little things more than they used to. “It’s allowed everybody to take a step back and see what is important in life.”
And Maura said it is important she and her new boyfriend Christopher Taylor make an effort for a weekly date night. She added: “It’s great as we were so comfortable with each other from the beginning. I think the best relationships come from being friends first.
“We laugh so much together and are really happy.”
Life in lockdown has also allowed Maura time to work on various other work ventures, including the launch of her own collaboration with tanning company Bellamianta.
She said: “I want people to enjoy these products the way I have for all these years. It was also important to me to be authentic and work with a brand I genuinely love.”