I’m A Celeb bosses 'target' Love Island legend to replace Tommy Fury
Love Island's Maura Higgins is reportedly in advanced negotiations to join I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! following Tommy Fury's withdrawal just weeks before the show's debut back to our screens.
Tommy's reported departure has seemingly opened the door for the Irish model and TV presenter, ensuring that two stars from the ITV2 dating show wouldn't enter the jungle in the same year.
Interestingly, Maura, 33, had her sights set on Tommy, 25, during their stint on Love Island in 2019, but he ended up with Molly-Mae Hague, also 25. The pair were together until this summer, when they parted ways.
Conversation about the split could potentially surface around the campfire as Maura and Molly are now best mates.
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A source from the Jungle told The Sun: "With Tommy Fury pulling out, it gave show bosses the opportunity to look at other Love Island stars, and Maura stood out as the perfect candidate.
"She'll bring a touch of glamour to the jungle and make an excellent campmate because she's got a cracking sense of humour and is bound to get along with everyone. It's shaping up to be a strong year for women on I'm A Celebrity this year."
Other celebs rumoured to be joining this year include WAG queen, Coleen Rooney, Dancing on Ice judge Oti Mabuse and N-Dubz singer Tulisa.
The stars typically head down under in mid-November, about a week before the show, hosted by Ant & Dec, begins its three-week run on ITV1.
The Sun also reported yesterday that Tommy had decided to withdraw from the jungle before signing a binding contract, despite having been in discussions with ITV producers for months.
It's believed he was offered another more profitable project, rumoured to be a rematch between KSI and Tommy, who is the younger half-brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury.
There were speculations that he might have shared his side of the story about his split with Molly-Mae, but now the jungle bosses are hoping Maura will take up the role.
Maura made headlines this week when she was spotted getting cosy with Strictly Come Dancing pro Kai Widdrington at the Pride of Britain Awards.
She was previously involved with another Strictly pro, Giovanni Pernice, but they parted ways in 2021.
Wales Online has reached out to ITV for comment.
I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here will air on ITV and ITVX
