Olivia Attwood has hit out at fellow former Love Island star Maura Higgins over her treatment of ex Pete Wicks, who also happens to be Olivia’s best friend.

Love Island legend Liv, 33, has defended TOWIE star Pete, 36, after Maura, 34, cheekily joked that he was ‘out cheating’ on Valentine’s Day just days after their split. Pete and Maura, who had been friends for six years, entered into a romantic relationship at the end of last year. However, after spending Christmas and New Year’s together, things seemingly turned bitter between the pair and they split before Valentine’s Day.

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While Irish reality TV star Maura spent the day of love with her close friends as they enjoyed a posh dinner before a night out on the town, Pete was nowhere to be seen on Valentine’s Day. After enjoying a lavish meal and drinks alongside her pals, Maura was questioned about Pete’s whereabouts by the paparazzi as she departed the venue. In an unexpected turn of events, when Maura was asked where Pete was, she replied with: “Dunno. Probably out cheating.”

Olivia and Pete are very close friends ( 
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Getty Images)

Maura joked that Pete was ‘out cheating’ on Valentine’s Day ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
Pete was said to have been left deeply hurt by Maura’s apparent joke, and his best friend Olivia hasn’t taken it lightly either. While at the BRIT Awards on Saturday night, Olivia made a cheeky comment to Pete about ‘cheating’ as they were interviewed before heading into the ceremony. While speaking to Mail Online at the biggest night in music, Pete joked that he was worried it might be hard for his newly single best pal Sam Thompson to be sitting away from him at the event.

Referring to Olivia as his work wife, Pete added: “But, he’s not far away, he’s over there actually. It is a little bit weird because it feels like I am…” Without even taking a breath, Olivia chimed in: “Cheating?” Before the two friends erupted into a fit of laughter. Once she managed to compose herself, Olivia added: “Not the first time, I might add.” Pete then shamelessly replied: “Because… I have never done that.”

Olivia has now defended the quip about Maura’s cheating claims. The ITV documentary-maker has insisted: “I’m very protective of my friends. Cheating is not funny. Pete didn’t cheat. That is the joke. Hope that helps.” Olivia went on: “I appreciate that you could read between the lines – I had to comment because A LOT of people couldn’t – because that’s not something I would find funny at all.

“And I’m just going to caveat that with with I’m very protective of my friends, but I don’t hate / have feuds / at war with anyone. You guys have seen my work schedule – I don’t have time to eat most days. When I get up in my feelings I probably shouldn’t do coded Instagram Stories because then things get misconstrued. I’ll just say it with my chest in future if I’m upset.”

Olivia has said that she’s very protective over her friend Pete ( 
Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images for Universal)

Maura attended the Universal Music afterparty at the BRITs ( 
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Dave Benett/Getty Images for Universal)
It comes after Olivia shared a cryptic post back in December which fans believe was aimed at Maura while she was taking part in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! alongside McFly’s Danny Jones. At the time, Olivia appeared to be enraged that Maura was seemingly trying to copy her personality.

In the heated post, Olivia wrote: “One day I’m going to write a book and some of the stuff I have managed to keep [zipped mouth emoji] on over the years. It will blow your f***ing mind. You can try to hire all the same people, regurgitate my stories as your own, study the playbook, follow the recipe blah blah blah, but it will NEVER taste the same. That’s all.”

The post further fuelled speculation that Olivia and Maura are in an ongoing feud. Following Olivia’s post, a source close to Maura said: “Maura doesn’t know Olivia that well, but does really respect her. As far as Maura’s concerned she doesn’t have any issues with Olivia and will always make an effort to say hello if they ever are at the same parties or red-carpet events.

“Any time there’s been a suggestion of a feud or competitiveness it has always baffled Maura. They are on their own journeys and not involved in each other’s careers, but she of course hopes the respect she feels for Olivia is mutual,” they added to The Sun.

It comes after Maura was filmed kissing fellow I’m A Celebrity star Danny, 38, at a BRIT Awards afterparty. The leaked footage of Danny and Maura at Universal’s afterparty event, which was captured just before 3am, shows the pair standing together, leaning in for what appears to be a drunken kiss.

Maura was filmed kissing Danny at the BRIT awards afterparty ( 
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Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Danny Jones has been married to wife Georgia Horsley since 2014 ( 
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Tim Merry/Staff Photographer)
The kiss has sparked widespread outrage due to Danny’s marriage to his wife Georgia, whom he tied the knot with in 2014, and with whom he shares a six year old son, Cooper. Meanwhile, Maura has recently ended her relationship with former TOWIE star Pete. A a source told The Sun that Danny appeared to be giving Maura advice and put his arm around her shoulder at one point.

They added that she also laid her head on his shoulder as they talked with pals following her split with Pete. The insider told the publication that shortly before 3am, Danny and Maura walked into the foyer of the venue together, where their alleged kiss was filmed. The pair are said to have then grinned as they were photographed leaving alongside former I’m A Celebrity co-star, Oti Mabuse.

On Tuesday, Maura broke her cover for the first time after her kiss with Danny. The former Love Island star was spotted waiting for a taxi at her apartment complex as she continues to keep a low profile after her kiss hit the headlines. Maura kept things casual in a pair of comfortable black pants and a leather jacket. She appeared to attempt to hide her identity as she wore a matching black cap. The reality TV star went makeup free for her latest outing.