Pete Wicks did not cheat on Maura Higgins according to friends, despite claims by the Irish reality TV star his infidelity ended their relationship.

Pals of the Strictly favourite have told MailOnline Pete, 37, was never unfaithful to Maura, 34, during their romance and has been left hurt by her 'cheating' accusations. 

The former Love Island star is said to have pulled the plug on their time together after discovering texts on his phone from other women.

After MailOnline revealed their romance was over on Valentine's Day, Maura lashed out by claiming Pete was 'probably cheating' when asked where he was as she celebrated her single status at London hotspot Sheesh. 

She was pictured wearing a red-hot revenge dress on Friday evening after gifting herself a large bouquet of roses. 

But insiders have revealed the messages were nothing other than 'innocent communication with friends and colleagues.' 

The friend told MailOnline: 'The truth is Pete did nothing wrong. He did not cheat.

'The messages were simply innocent communication with friends and colleagues - he often messages friends of the same sex but it wasn't cheating.'

Sources close to Maura told how she found the 'innocent' texts shortly before they agreed to part ways. 

She appeared to still be angry with the former TOWIE star when she was heard saying 'probably cheating' in response to being probed over Pete's whereabouts while leaving a Mayfair restaurant on Valentine's Day.

And according to friends, Pete finds the claims 'bizarre' and admits they're particularly painful as he's been trying hard to repair his 'bad boy' reputation following failed romances with the likes of Megan McKenna and Chloe Sims.

The friend explained: 'Pete has always been open and honest about errors made in his past and how he struggles to commit in relationships. 

'He was upfront with Maura from the beginning of their romance. To continue the same narrative when he's now a better man is very unfair. It's not the same old Pete, he has worked really hard to mature and better himself over the years.

'He hasn't done anything wrong and Maura's claims are unsubstantiated and just bizarre.' 

The friend added: 'He still adores her and the last thing he wants to do is publicly or privately trash her.'

MailOnline revealed last Friday that Pete and Maura had ended their relationship.

The pair, who have been friends six years, tried to keep their romance low-key but their closeness intensified following Pete's appearance on Strictly and Maura's stint on I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in December.

A friend told MailOnline the couple 'clashed' a few times before mutually deciding it was better for them to move on.

The pal said: 'Maura and Pete have decided to call off their romance.

'There have been a few clashes and it was eventually agreed they were better off as friends.

'Those closest to them know it's been a very on and off relationship, which is why they were so resistant to go public in the first place.

'They remain close and share a deep connection.'

A friend added: 'You never know with Maura and Pete, the attraction is so strong that you wouldn't rule out reunion at some point – even in the short term.'

However, Maura's outburst last Friday suggests bad blood between the pair may kill off the chances of a quick reconciliation.

In another jibe at Pete, Maura sent herself flowers on Valentine's Day and shared a picture of a bouquet of red roses the day it emerged their romance was over.

A note on the flowers read: 'To Me, Love Me.'

Meanwhile, Pete was pictured with his mother in Essex wearing a baseball cap bearing the words 'smoke and mirrors.' 

The couple's relationship appeared in healthy shape over Christmas as they spent the festive period together at Glasson Lakehouse Co. Westmeath, close to Maura's hometown in Ireland.

Speaking on a podcast interview in January, Pete expressed his fondness for Maura, explaining the pair had been supporting each other from afar from six years.

He said: 'Maura and I have known each other for a long time now... about six years.

'We have the same sense of humour, she's super intelligent and I think that is sometimes something that people don't realise about Maura.

'She's incredibly witty. We have always been there for each other for the past six years at a distance.

'It's different now. We spend more time together now than we did before. My relationship with her is that I think she's a great person and I would hope that she thinks I'm alright.'

Pete, who reportedly grew close to dance partner Jowita on Strictly, has spoken about his difficulties with commitment, admitting settling down 'scares' him.

He has previously had romances with former TOWIE co-stars Megan McKenna, Shelby Tribble, Chloe Sims and Ella Rae Wise.

TV star Maura, now a UK ambassador for MAC Cosmetics, has also regularly dated in the public eye.

She fell for Curtis Pritchard on Love Island before dating Chris Taylor, who she met on the same series.

Following their split Maura was in a relationship with axed Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice but they parted ways after four months.

After being spotted sharing a kiss at the National TV Awards in 2022, Maura and TOWIE's Joey Essex denied that they were romantically involved.

In March 2024, Maura split from stuntman Bobby Holland Hanton after ten months together.

She told The Times in January that she was 'happy right now' after being questioned about her relationship status with Pete.