Pete Wicks insists he is single despite kissing Maura Higgins at Pride of Britain Awards

Reality TV was spotted kissing at the Pride of Britain Awards but the former TOWIE star also insisted he was single on Monday night.

The star, 35, was heard telling fellow guests and celebrities that he is very much single with the beauty. Pete, who was hosting red carpet coverage with his BFF , was open about his relationship status, as he spoke with stars making their way inside the moving ceremony - and was overheard declaring: “I’m single.”

Speaking exclusively to the , one attendee revealed how they overheard the reality TV star chatting about his single life at the event’s afterparty. “Pete did look cosy with Maura at points but he wasn’t shy about telling people he was single,” the guest said. “He was proudly declaring himself single on the red carpet during interviews and even made a joke of not being in a relationship in the bar after the awards.”

Both reality TV stars took to social media shortly after the event and while they spoke about the emotional ceremony, they both consciously swerved the opportunity to address the reports about their kiss. It was exclusively revealed by the Mirror, that Pete and Maura were involved in an intimate embrace at the award ceremony's afterparty, held at London's Grosvenor House.

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The couple, who have previously remained tight-lipped over rumours of a romance over recent months, partied until the early hours at the hotel's Red Bar. And according to onlookers, they did not shy away from making it clear that they were together. In one post, Pete said: "It was on honour to work at @prideofbritain again…

"[Sam] and I are very fortunate to be able to do some of the things we do but last night is without doubt the most special evening of the year. It's a beautiful event with beautiful people and a humbling experience to be in a room with true hero's who deserve the spotlight not just for one night but every day. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees - see you next year."

Meanwhile, Maura, who was a finalist on Love Island also posted about the event. She said: "A truly special evening." And in another post believed to have been published since news of her kiss with Pete broke, she was seen posing in a hotel lobby and penned: "Dreamy hotel @themayfairtownhouse."

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