Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
We went away for a weekend then he asked me out, he was very nervous but obviously I said yes
Love Island stars tell of relationship
LOVE Island’s Maura Higgins and Curtis Pritchard have finally gone official – months after meeting in the villa.
The ballroom dancer, 23, whisked the Co Longford star away to confirm their status over a romantic dinner.
Maura, 28, said: “He asked and I said yes obviously.
“He took me away for a weekend break and he asked me out over dinner in London the next day.
“He was actually quite nervous when he asked me, so he couldn’t get his words out.
It was a little bit unexpected.”
In their first exclusive interview as a couple, Maura also revealed how:
■ She and Curtis finish each other’s sentences
■ A top matchmaker predicted the pair will be engaged in six months
■ She likes to enjoy life and doesn’t have a five-year plan, and
■ Training for Dancing On Ice is tougher than she expected.
Curtis, from Stoke-ontrent, explained why it took him so long to ask Maura out, adding: “I want something that’s going to last for ever.
“There’s no point in rushing things. We’ve only known each other a short amount of time.”
They were one of the most unlikely Love Island couples, with the flirty Ballymahon woman unexpectedly falling for Curtis’ boyish charm when he broke up with ex-air hostess Amy Hart.
The couple explained their romance by admitting “opposites attract”.
Maura, who Curtis described as a “very fiery young lady”, told OK! magazine: “We finish each other’s sentences and we’re always laughing. We don’t take life too seriously.
“I keep him on his toes. We love a good debate. The other day we had one about how humans originally got on the earth, which lasted a long time.” Maura still has no regrets about making it clear from the start she was interested in Curtis during their time on Love Island.
She said: “Yes, I was very excited and he didn’t disappoint.”
Last week, it was predicted the pair would become engaged within six months. The projection was unveiled on Friday’s instalment of ITV’S This Morning show during Maura’s Love Ireland segment.
During the footage, she met with Ireland’s oldest matchmaker Willie Dale.
He told her anyone who has “touched” his book has got in touch later to say they are getting married.
Maura said: “My boyfriend hasn’t actually told me he loves me yet so maybe if I place my hands on that lucky book...”
Willie replied: “If you touch it with both hands and close your eyes for approximately eight seconds then you will be in love and married in six months.” Maura then joked: “The book has spoken – no pressure Curtis!” But while they may be head over heels for each other, the couple have no plans to move in together yet as their careers go from strength to strength.
Since leaving the Love Island villa, Maura has landed a major modelling deal with Ann Summers, reportedly worth six figures.
She also doled out no-nonsense advice as an agony aunt on This Morning and is now lacing up her skates as a contestant in next year’s Dancing On Ice – though the training is harder than she expected.
She said: “It’s tougher than I thought – but fun. I keep falling over because I have no balance. When I turn, my head goes in the opposite direction.” Meanwhile, Curtis has landed a job as a choreographer on Rupaul’s Drag Race UK and on The Greatest Dancer.
He said while he’s committed to his career, he doesn’t want to put tension on his bond with Maura.
Curtis added: “With work I always try to think ahead but when it comes to relationships it can cause too much pressure. I can see a future but I don’t want to start trying to mould the relationship around it.
“We’ve only been seeing each other for three months and that isn’t long enough for us to move in together. It’s perfect as it is.”
Maura told how she does not
want to think too far ahead, adding: “I want to enjoy it.”
She said she misses her family as she focuses on her career in the UK and her new-found fame has a negative side.
Maura added: “When I go out I’m always being photographed.
“People come over when you’re in the middle of dinner.”
Now she’s found happiness in a relationship, Maura hopes others can also enjoy the same thing – and said the key is to do what you want.
She added: I don’t give a s**t what people say about me. If it makes me happy, I’m going to do it.”