Love Island’s Maura Higgins compared to ‘diva’ Gemma Collins after saying she will ‘throw a strop’ on DOI
LOVE Island star Maura Higgins has been compared to Gemma Collins after she admitted she is likely to "have a strop" on Dancing On Ice.
Officially unveiling her today as a DOI contestant - along with telly star Michael Barrymore - Phillip Schofield gasped: "It's another Gemma, it's another Gemma!"
Maura Higgins has been compared to Dancing On Ice diva Gemma Collins
Maura, 28, confessed that she will need a ";strict" professional partner on the skating show to keep her tantrums in place.
Maura had told Phillip and Holly Willoughby on This Morning: "I need someone strict to keep me in line. "Otherwise I’ll just throw a strop and lay on the floor."
She then laughed when DOI host Phillip compared her to the GC, who was known for her diva behaviour during this year's series of the reality show.
Maura was unveiled while standing inside a giant inflatable snow globe.
Maura admitted she has only ever skated twice "for fun" and is most worried about the daring 'headbanger' move.
She said: "[Headbangers] frighten me a lot. I’m more excited than scared, though.
"I'm brave and competitive so I think that will drive me."
But speaking about her physical fitness levels, she said: "I don’t go to the gym so I’m going to struggle. I’m going to be training every day...my body isn't up for it!"
The Sun exclusively revealed earlier this month that DOI bosses had dumped Love Island winner Amber Gill from their original 2020 line-up and replaced her with Maura.
Producers met several contestants from the ITV2 show before picking the Irish beauty.
The move comes after she impressed audiences on This Morning with her quirky personality during her regular agony aunt segment.
The decision by Dancing On Ice chiefs to sign Maura is a blow to Amber who had hoped the show would be her next big TV project after two other Love Island stars found success on the show.
Kem Cetinay was fourth in 2018 and Wes Nelson was this year’s runner-up.
A source said: “Dancing On Ice producers were always going to sign a Love Island star for next year’s series and they wanted a girl this time after having two guys in the past.
“It was looking hopeful for Amber but Maura pipped her to the post with her sense of humour and personality.”
During Maura’s time in the villa, her ballroom dancing beau Curtis Pritchard showed her some choreography skills.
The source added: “Maura is hoping Curtis can now teach her more moves, even though she will be on the ice.”
Meanwhile, Dancing On Ice has also signed up ITN newsreader Lucrezia Millarini.
A source said: "Lucrezia can't wait to get onto the ice and is looking forward to trying something new and out of her comfort zone.
"Bosses think she's a natural in front of camera and will be a big success on next year's show."
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