Maura Higgins Dating History: Her Relationships, Celibacy Journey, and What She Wants in a Partner
Maura Higgins’ Current Relationship Status and Celibacy Journey
Maura Higgins has been one of the most recognizable Irish personalities in reality television, having captured audiences on Love Island in 2023, Dancing With the Stars, and most recently The Traitors, where she made it to the finale alongside Rob Rausch before his dramatic betrayal cost her a share of the $220,800 prize pot. Since then, fans have speculated about a possible romance between the two — but those rumors were quashed when Rob confirmed he has a girlfriend.
Then, on October 3, Maura posted a cryptic Instagram Story that reignited conversations about her dating life, interpreted by many as a soft launch of some kind. The shadowy, playful content hinted at “feeling flutters,” though no names or specifics were revealed.
Earlier, in March 2026, Maura opened up to Cosmopolitan about her year-plus journey of celibacy. “I don’t want to bring just anyone into my energy. It wasn’t even a plan to be celibate. I didn’t put a timeline on it. I just had terrible exes and needed a break,” she explained. “Now that it’s been over a year, I don’t even think of men. I’m not checking my DMs. I’m not searching for it.”
2008–2017: James Finnegan
Long before her television fame, Maura dated her childhood sweetheart James Finnegan for nearly nine years. The couple got engaged in 2016 but split the following year. In her March 2026 Cosmopolitan interview, Maura spoke about the relationship without naming him directly: “I met my first boyfriend in school, and we were with each other nine years. I was engaged… I genuinely believe if I stayed with that partner, I would have never moved out of my hometown and did what I wanted to do with my life.”
2018–2019: Shane McGuigan
After her split from Finnegan, Maura dated boxing coach and commentator Shane McGuigan while working as a ring girl. Their romance ultimately fizzled out due to the challenges of maintaining a long-distance relationship between London and Ireland.
2019–2020: Curtis Pritchard
When Curtis Pritchard joined the Love Island villa in 2019, he initially paired with Amy Hart before turning his attention to Maura. The pair dated for seven months after the show before calling it off, citing busy careers and long distance. Maura told The Sun, “Curtis and I barely saw each other… Sometimes it would be two weeks.” Curtis later denied cheating rumors, stating plainly: “I did not cheat on Maura at all.” The two had an awkward reunion when Curtis was eliminated from Love Island Games in 2023.
2020–2021: Chris Taylor
Maura moved on with fellow Love Island alum Chris Taylor, who she had befriended on the show before romance blossomed in 2020. The pair fueled speculation with playful social media posts, including Chris recreating Maura’s viral “Just need to find a Mickey” selfie. Their relationship lasted about six months before they mutually decided to part ways. Maura wrote on Instagram: “There is no wrongdoing on either side… We wanted to make this work but we have realised we work better being friends.” In a 2024 interview on Celebs Go Dating, Chris revealed he had “fallen in love” with Maura, though she reportedly didn’t reciprocate those feelings.
2021: Giovanni Pernice
Maura confirmed her relationship with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Giovanni Pernice when they were spotted holding hands at a soccer game in June 2021. By October, Maura had deleted all related posts following their split. Sources described it as the “Strictly curse” striking again. Giovanni addressed it on his Instagram Stories: “Great relationships with great people can come to a natural end… There was absolutely no wrongdoing.”
2023–2024: Bobby Holland Hanton
Maura’s last major public relationship was with Hollywood stunt double Bobby Holland Hanton, best known as Chris Hemsworth’s stand-in. The couple dated for nearly a year, celebrating New Year’s Eve and taking trips to the Maldives before splitting in March 2024. Their breakup was confirmed when they unfollowed each other and removed photos on Instagram. A source told The Sun, “It was really fun for a while, but they’re different people.” In September 2024, Maura emphasized they were capital “O” over, telling Closer, “I’ve had Hollywood men slide into my DMs. But I’m not going to do that, be flown to Hollywood for a first date. They have to come to me!”
What Maura Higgins Wants in a Future Partner
Across her interviews, Maura has been consistent about her relationship expectations. Her friends have told her she needs someone “quieter” than her, and she expressed frustration with past partners who didn’t like being overshadowed. “I want a man to let me be me and not try to dim my light,” she told Cosmopolitan. She also made clear she’s not interested in Hollywood-style romance on someone else’s terms — potential partners need to come to her, not the other way around.
As of the latest available information, Maura Higgins’ relationship status remains unconfirmed. Whether her October Instagram Story signaled a new romantic development or simply a playful moment remains unclear — but one thing is certain: this Irish star isn’t rushing into anything.
Entertainment, People, News, Online, Society, Leisure, Celebrity, Reality Television, Dating, Love Island, The Traitors
