MAURA Higgins is set for a VERY awkward reunion with another co-star in the I’m A Celeb jungle.
The Love Island star, who was announced today in the official line-up, is set to come face-to-face with the father of one of her exes.
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Maura, 33, will be sharing the camp with sporting legend and former featherweight world champion Barry McGuigan, 63, after Ally McCoist dropped out.
The Irish presenter dated Barry’s son Shane before she found fame on Love Island.
Maura and British boxing coach Shane met in May 2018 when she worked as a ring girl for William Hill.
The bombshell was on ring card duty for the David Haye vs Tony Bellew rematch and Shane was booked to commentate for a radio talk show.
Insiders said at the time: “Maura has brains and beauty and she quickly caught Shane’s eye.
“They got chatting and had instant chemistry so of course he asked her out.
“At the time Maura lived in Ireland, and Shane was running his boxing gym in London, and she was travelling a lot for work so it wasn’t easy to pull off.
“There were no hard feelings when it ended. It turned out to be short lived and the spark fizzled out.”
After a few dates they decided to remain pals and continued to work at boxing matches side by side.
They continued: “They’ve crossed paths and have remained friends. No doubt he’ll be the one watching and cheering Maura on from the sidelines this time.”
Shane has trained a string of successful fighters including David Haye, George Groves, Lee McGregor and Josh Taylor.
Barry will be taking on the jungle show after a tough few years, after he sadly lost his daughter Danika to breast cancer.
He told The Late Late Show in 2021: “She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache.”
While Maura was also a late signing after Tommy Fury’s exit helped pave the way for the Irish model to appear on the programme.
Maura will be leaving behind her boyfriend Pete Wicks after The Sun revealed they are an item.
A Jungle insider said: “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 bringing a bit of glamour to the jungle and make a brilliant campmate because she’s got a great sense of humour and is bound to get on with everyone.”
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