Pete Wicks 'cools romance with Strictly's Jowita' amid flirting with ...

STRICTLY Come Dancing's Pete Wicks is said to be "cooling" his romance with show pro Jowita Przystal - as he sets his sights on an I'm A Celeb star.

The Sun exclusively revealed this week how the TOWIE alum had also been flirting with make-up artists on the set of the BBC One show.

Pete Wicks is said to have 'cooled off' his romance with Strictly Come Dancing's Jowita PrzystalCredit: GettyThe pair's close bond was on display during their emotive Waltz this weekendCredit: PAPete is now said to be gunning for Maura Higgins, with the pair seen on a date before her I'm A Celeb stintCredit: Splash

Yet it appears his feelings for Love Island beauty Maura Higgins, 34 - with whom he was seen on a date before she headed Down Under for the I'm A Celeb jungle - haven't been put to one side.

A source has now outlined their relationship state of play after Maura exclusively told us "I am very much single."

They 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."

They added to MailOnline: "Since then, Pete has gone all-in, openly expressing his feelings to anyone who’ll listen.

"Although he continues to dance with Jowita weekly, their off-the-floor relationship isn’t as close as it once was."

The Sun has gone to Pete's rep for comment.

LOVE STORY?

As Maura arrived in Australia last month, she said: “I date, but I’m very much single.”

After she was snapped kissing Pete she insisted to The Sun the pair were not an item, and said: “I’m not, I’m not. Where have you heard that?

“I mean, I date, but I’m very much single.

“And honestly, I just think the interest in my dating life is so boring.

“Everyone goes on dates, but then you’re like... Maura’s in a relationship with this person, this person.”

When queried if she has been on a date with Pete, she laughed: “I mean, I’ve been on a date with many people.”

The ex-Towie hunk seems to have found himself in a love triangle with Maura and Strictly dance partner Jowita Przystal.

He grown increasingly close to Jowita 30, with the pair sharing car rides to rehearsals.

HUGE FLIRT?

Meanwhile, Pete has been hailed a "huge flirt" backstage on the BBC series, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

A source was first to tell The Sun: “Pete is a huge flirt and has made a beeline for the make-up girls.

“He is never pervy and brightens the room wherever he goes and always treats women with the utmost respect, which has them falling at his feet.”

They added to us: "Things have been complicated a bit by Pete flirting with the make-up girls.

"It’s not clear how serious he is about any of them or whether it’s just banter."

Meanwhile, Pete was placed bottom of the leaderboard on Saturday for his emotive Waltz with Jowita.

He was then placed at the heart of a "favouritism" row as fans accused the judges of "brushing over" his mistakes.

Maura is said to have given Pete an 'ultimatum' before her ITV jungle stintCredit: RexPete and Jowita had become closer off-screen, even sharing a cab to rehearsalsCredit: InstagramPete is said to be a 'huge flirt' backstage on StrictlyCredit: PA