We've said it before and we'll say it again: we were obsessed with the campmates in this year's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here. Thanks to the genuine nature of the 12 celebrities who were thrown in to the jungle for three weeks, it felt like a breath of fresh air, offering up a non-toxic, warm hug of a reality TV show.
One of those contestants was Maura Higgins, the 34-year-old presenter and Love Island star who stole our hearts with her hilarious (sweary) one-liners and friendships in camp. While we're used to seeing her on the red carpet, Maura traded beauty products for bugs (still looked gorgeous, obviously), and swapped her often guarded approach for something more candid.
Following her time in camp, with Maura making it all the way to he we caught up with her to chat camp highlights and lowlights, the jungle Whatsapp group - and how she's feeling about being reunited with that special someone (*cough* Pete Wicks *cough*.)
Hey Maura! The show ended on Sunday - what have you all been up to since then?
Oh, we've been having the time of our lives. Today's our last day in Australia, so we've just been hanging out, eating lots of food, and saying our goodbyes. Everyone [from the jungle] is so close, and all the family and friends are so close as well, which is lovely to see.
Why do you think that is?
I think everyone was just being their honest, genuine selves, and it was just such a good group of people. We were so surprised when we came out to find out all the family and friends had their own group chat, and had been going to water parks together! We honestly don't want the journey to end.
What were you expecting from your jungle experience?
I was so scared about doing it, but I promised myself I would embrace the whole thing. I'm shocked by how strong I was in there. My first big trial with critters, I was very nervous, and I really didn't think I was going to be able to do that. I'm terrified of even little spiders. But in that moment, I knew Jane [Moore] was in the water waiting for me, and you really want to do well for your campmates. Everyone's so hungry.
I'm proud of myself for that, and also just being able to have a safe space in camp. I feel good about opening up because that's something I really struggle with. It really surprised me how easy I found it to open up to that group, which was so nice. I immediately thought, 'Do you know what? It's actually not that scary to open up about deep things.'
I would love to know how different it felt in there to Love Island. Did you completely forget about the cameras being there?
When I came out, there was stuff that I was like, 'I don't even remember saying that...' You really do [forget], especially when you're in the deep chats with people. You genuinely do forget - the cameras are dotted around, and obviously in the Bush Telegraph the camera is right there, but everywhere else...
What did you do when you were bored in there?
The days can be very long, but we either napped or chatted and played games. We did quizzes. Alan made these hoops out of little bits of trees, and we had something like a stick in the middle. We played competitions of who could get the hoops onto the sticks. We kept ourselves busy when we could.
How did it feel to be very 'stripped back' in there compared to your usual glam?
I was called Caspar at school [for being so pale] and it just kind of stuck. I was very excited in a sense to be like, 'Wow, I don't have to wake up everyday and put on makeup, and do my hair.'
Before, I thought I might get my brows done and my [eye]lashes, and then I was like, 'Do you know what? I'm going to be my stripped back version of myself.' I'm very glad I did that. I didn't even have my eyebrows tweezed before I went in. I was embracing living in the jungle. And honestly, it's the best thing I've ever done, because my skin's never been better!
You don't even have moisturiser for your face in there. You don't have cleanser, you don't have toner, eye cream... My skin felt dry at times. But then when I came out and I actually looked in a mirror for the first time, I was like, 'Wow, my skin is so clear. So I might have to do that more often.'
Other than your luxury item, do you literally not get anything in there?
No, and I didn't even get a luxury item because they were given their luxury items before I came in. Mine was a teddy bear I have made out of my best friend's jacket who passed away. I had that in my hotel, if ever I was going to get my luxury item, but unfortunately, I didn't get it.
But then I couldn't complain too much, because when I did go into camp, I had luxury for a couple of days.
Have you been following any of the support on social media?
I've really stayed off my phone whilst being in Australia - I didn't turn on my phone at all when I got out. I know that this is all going to be over so quickly, so I just wanted to put my phone down and and be in the little bubble.
My manager is still looking after my social media as we speak, and I'm glad I did that, because when you do go on your phone, you can get caught up in everything, and then [I'd regret] that I didn't embrace the bubble that I was in.
What are you most excited about returning to real life?
I'm very excited to sleep in my own bed. I'm excited to see all my friends. I caught up with a few of them on FaceTime already, but I'm just so excited to see everyone. I really want to celebrate my birthday at some point.
Is there an I'm A Celeb Whatsapp group yet?
The Whatsapp group was set up very quickly, and we're already planning a reunion. I'm not sure where or when it will be yet, but Iy the looks of things, it's going to be very soon. We've got everyone in there, it's amazing.
I have to ask you... are you excited to see a specific person when you get home?
Of course, I'm 100% excited to see him, but if I'm being honest, I've missed everyone so much. The days in the jungle are so long, which really surprised me, even though I was on Love Island for so much longer. You don't have all the things that you're used to. But yeah, I'm excited to see everyone.
