Secretive dates and f lirty trysts clinch a courtship
Maura’s mad about the boy as she asks Strictly’s Giovanni to Longford to meet the mammy
LOVED-UP Maura Higgins deployed some covert moves to keep her budding romance ‘strictly secret’, the Irish Mail on Sunday can reveal.
New couple Maura and Strictly dancer Giovanni Pernice wanted to ‘get to know each other in private’ before revealing they were a couple.
And the MoS has learned the Love Island star and the dancer enjoyed ‘secret dinner dates’ away from the prying eyes of the public at a top London restaurant.
‘They had some dates in a private room’
A source revealed: ‘They have been together for a while now. But, obviously, because their love lives are a source of interest they wanted to see how well they got together before it was in the news. For Maura especially, every time she is seen with anyone it’s in the papers then it’s news again when there’s a break-up, so they both just wanted to see if the mutual attraction and flirtation could sustain a relationship.’
The source added: ‘They had some dates in a private room in the restaurant so they could get to know each other first. Maura was snuck in through the back door so she wouldn’t be spotted or pictured going in so they could both be really relaxed and just enjoy each other’s company.’
And it appears Maura is much enamoured by the handsome Italian dancer’s charms and chivalry as their romance heats up.
‘She is really mad about Giovanni. They are constantly in contact and on FaceTime and
WhatsApp. Things are really going well, so far so good. She has even talked about bringing him home to Longford to meet her mammy. You know it’s getting serious when there’s talk of meeting the Irish mammy,’ the source laughed.
Maura and the dancer’s ‘secret romance’ was unearthed last week when the couple were spotted in the stands at Wembley as Giovanni cheered on Italy in their win over Austria at Euro 2020.
The loved-up couple were also seen at a hotel in Cornwall, although they had attempted to avoid being spotted together.
A source said: ‘They’re certainly a thing now. At first, it was just a couple of dates and some fun but it’s getting more serious and they’re clearly really into each other. They certainly look great together.
‘They’re both busy with their careers but, hopefully, the summer will give them time to get to know each other better.
‘They’re keeping it a bit quiet as they’ve both had failed public relationships [in the past], but it’s hotting up really fast.’
Maura has been single since splitting from fellow
Love Islander Chris Taylor in May. She was previously linked to Curtis Pritchard, who she was coupled with on the hit reality show. And just last month she set tongues wagging when she enjoyed a day out at a funfair with another Love Islander, Chris Hughes.
Giovanni has also romanced several of his leading dance-floor ladies. He was previously in a relationship with actress and his Strictly co-star Georgia May Foote and he also enjoyed a fling with Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts.
Despite all the romance, Maura still has time for work. She make her Irish TV presenting debut this autumn as the host of RTÉ’s make-up artist talent search show Glow Up Ireland.