10 November 2023 , 11:12
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Maura Higgins had an awkward reunion on Love Island Games with ex-boyfriend Curtis Pritchard after he was the third contestant to be eliminated from the villa.
The Irish reality TV star, best known for appearing on the ITV dating show in 2019, is currently serving as the social media ambassador of the spin-off show.
Love Island Games sees 26 former Islanders from both the UK version of the show and its international editions come together in for 'another shot at love' by participating in a series of fun challenges. Hosted by Maya Jama, the exciting new show was filmed in Fiji and premiered on November 1.
Curtis, 27, is the latest person to be booted off the spin-off, following in the footsteps of partner Lisa Celander from the Swedish Love Island and Steph Blackos from the French series.
Things were about to get a whole lot more uncomfortable for the Whitchurch native, however, after he was forced to engage in an exit interview with Maura, whom he dated on the 2019 series of Love Island. The pair split in 2020 after just seven months together, with the Longford native explaining that she no longer saw Curtis as a 'future husband.'
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Maura interviewed ex Curtis after he was evicted from the Love Island Games villa (Peacock)
Maura and Curtis in January 2020 (SIPA USA/PA Images)"Curtis Pritchard got dumped 3rd on Love Island Games… Maura (his love island ex) is the spinoff show host…" one person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "It’s about as awkward as you’d expect." Others were getting their popcorn out for the dramatic exchange, with one person wryly predicting, "This gonna be lovely."
In the tense exchange, Maura is tasked with getting Curtis to open up about his experience inside the villa in the aftermath of his eviction.
"Long time no see, Curtis," the 32-year-old says, prompting the Dancing With the Stars contestant (Ireland) to crumble into a sheepish laugh. After exchanging social pleasantries, Maura gets down to the nitty gritty of her ex-fling's time on Love Island Games.
Maura quizzed Curtis on his Love Island Games experience (Peacock)
Curtis said he was 'gutted' to be out (Peacock)"It's a bit weird to be out," Curtis told her, before revealing he's "gutted" to have left so early and wishes he was "still in" the contest. Maura then challenged him on his flirtatious behaviour with the other women in the villa, despite being matched with Lisa.
"You were coupled up with Lisa, but you were clearly getting to know some of the other girls," she said. "There was a lot of flirting going on. But you always seemed to gravitate back to Lisa. Why do you think that was?"
In a short break between takes, Curtis appears to try to break the awkward silence by enquiring after Maura's loved ones. "How's the family?" he asks, to which he nods and replies, "Good, yeah, good."
In another clip, Maura questions Curtis on who he'd have coupled up with if Lisa wasn't in the villa. He immediately replied, "Justine," to which Maura said, "I knew you were going to say that, there was chemistry."
"We did the first challenge together, so we had a bit of a connection," Curtis agreed.
"Right, so why didn't you pick her?" Maura pressed. At this point, Curtis grimaced and quipped, "Because I didn't follow my balls, Maura, I didn't follow my gut. I wasn't a strong man." The Dancing on Ice star doubles over in laughter at this cheeky explanation and remarks, "He still has no balls, guys!", prompting viewers to speculate if the two still have a connection. Curtis also appeared to take the swipe in good humour, faking a knife this his chest and exclaiming, "Savage!"
"This interview was so awkward yet I still saw some flirtation going on am I delulu?" one person wrote online. Others were convinced the pair have a future as lovers again, with one person writing, "Still hoping they'll get back together and it lasts!" Another swooning fan said, "These two have unfinished business."
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