Strictly's Pete Wicks reveals the real reason why he hasn't settled down yet ahead of his reunion with Maura Higgins

Pete Wicks has candidly revealed why he hasn't settled down yet, ahead of his reunion with I'm A Celeb star Maura Higgins, who is on her way back from Australia. 

During her time on the ITV show, former Love Islander Maura, 34, revealed that she had been dating Pete, 36, before entering the jungle, but admitted she wasn't sure if they were in a relationship. 

Appearing on his Staying Relevant podcast on Monday alongside guest Olivia Attwood, the former TOWIE star admitted he's struggled to keep long term relationships.

As the duo read viewers questions out, Pete asked Olivia: 'Someone has asked if you have any dating advice for me?'

He went on to say: 'I do feel like I'm now at a different stage of my life. I'm an older man now than when I was younger and a complete p***k.'

'Pete's never had any problem getting the women,' Olivia explained, before Pete chimed in with: 'It's keeping them!' 

Pete's previous girlfriends include Megan McKenna, Shelby Tribble and Chloe Sims.

Olivia clarifited: 'You don't keep them out of your own choice. I feel like it's because you for so long have not let anyone in. You like your own space, you like to be with your dogs at home and your beer, it's quite a sad scene really actually.'

'It is a little bit of a sad existence,' Pete jokingly admitted, seemingly ready to finally let someone into his life.

'You need to let someone in but it needs to be the right person,' instructed Olivia, to which the Strictly star responded:'I don't want to die alone' 

'No and you should not, you probably need to move fast because you've only got a few years,' joked Olivia.

In September, Pete told The Times magazine: 'I'm nearly 36. I want to get married and have kids. I've been blessed with so many opportunities, but what's the point if I can't share them with anyone?

'Right now, I'm not ready to wholeheartedly commit to a romantic relationship because I don't fully understand myself yet.'

During her time on I'm A Celeb Maura seemingly confirmed that she was dating the Strictly star after they were seen kissing a few weeks before she headed down under.

When asked by Oti Mabuse whether or not she was single, Maura replied: 'I am but I was seeing someone before I came in but I'm not in a relationship.'

Reverend Richard then asked: 'Was it exclusive? Or if I've put you on the spot, sorry!', to which she replied after a long pause: 'I dunno'.

And appearing on This Morning last Friday she shared her excitement to see Pete and admitted he had been so supportive.

She confessed: 'Honestly he's been so supportive. I didn't know if he was still in Strictly, I'm so proud of him and he's proud of me and I can't wait to see him.'

Alison then cheekily asked if he could be a bridesmaid at the pair's wedding - with Maura giggling before agreeing to the request: 'Yes, you can be a bridesmaid Alison.'

During I'm A Celeb Maura revealed that the pair had known each other for longer than fans might expect - and said Pete had pursued her relentlessly.

'Yeah, we've known each other since five years and never once..." she told Oti.

'He would always say, "Oh no, like, we are gonna go on a date somewhere." And I'd be like, "We're actually not." And I was deadly serious, "We're actually not. You're delusional."'

When asked why she eventually changed her mind, Maura explained: 'He wouldn't give up. And then I was like, "Oh fine".

'I brought my friends with me, and I was like, "see it's a friendship date." And then the next time I went, just me.'

Recounting their first date, Maura revealed no expense was spared, noting: 'We went out for oysters and wine. Yeah, come on. It was super nice.'

As for their chemistry, Maura quipped: 'Yeah, a lot of fun. We just dial up 24/7 with each other. We've got the very same humour.'  

Despite his busy Strictly stint, which ended on Sunday, Pete has showed that he still has Maura on his mind as he reposted Maura's Instagram which is being run by her friends and family while she's Down Under -and urging people to vote for her.

He quipped: 'I've been George of the Jungle but now it's time to vote for Maura of the Jungle'.

The Mail on Sunday previously revealed that Pete has put a stop to his romantic liaison with his Strictly partner Jowita Przystal - because he is determined to win the heart of Maura.

Sources close to Pete say he is telling friends he is completely smitten with the jungle star who he has been casually dating for the past five months.

When he began Strictly and met Jowita, Maura gave up any hope of the relationship continuing.

A friend said: ‘Before Maura entered the jungle, Pete wanted to make their relationship exclusive.

'But Maura, aware of Pete’s reputation and his close bond with Jowita, decided to slow things down.

'She gave him an ultimatum: either commit to her or let it go. So she went off a single woman.

'Since then, Pete has gone all-in, openly expressing his feelings to anyone who’ll listen'.

But while Pete may have finally decided Maura is the one for him, the reality star's mother issued a stern warning about her daughter.

And following Maura's confession, her mother Sharon told The Sun what her one piece of advice for Pete would be.

She told the publication: 'But you know something? That just shows you, anyone who's to date her - watch out: don't cross Maura!'.

Sharon went on to say that she hasn't watched the star on Strictly Come Dancing and has no plans to.

She explained she had yet to meet the reality star and hadn't been keeping up with his TV appearances.

She said: 'I never watch Strictly. I've never had interest in it. It's not a show I've ever watched, so I'm not going to start now.'