Maura Higgins denies sleeping with Greg O’Shea after his split with Amber Gill after they were accused of ‘flirting’ on night out
MAURA Higgins has gone from grid girl to fashion designer after signing a big money deal with boohoo.
The 28-year-old's feet have barely touched the ground since leaving the villa six weeks ago - but she's soon to get her skates on after being snapped up for Dancing On Ice.
On top of that she's joined the This Morning family as an Agony Aunt and has been announced as boohoo's first podcast host.
But her success hasn't come without its challenges.
Within three weeks of the show's finale, Maura was forced to take a step back from the spotlight after becoming overwhelmed.
Her relationship with Love Island co-star Curtis Pritchard has also come under severe scrutiny after she was accused of flirting with winner Greg O'Shea on a night out.
Now in an exclusive interview with The Sun Online, Maura has denied sleeping with Greg after raising eyebrows with their chemistry.
Some of their fellow Love Island stars accused her of being "disrespectful" to Greg's ex Amber Gill - who he'd dumped by text just hours before.
But Irish stunner Maura insists she doesn't have to say sorry to Amber - because she did nothing wrong.
She told us at her launch at Nobu in Shoreditch: "It's 2019. Just because I'm photographed doesn't mean I'm flirting or sleeping with him.
"If I was photographed with a girl nothing would be said about it.
"It's a bit ridiculous. I'm with Curtis, as everyone knows, and Greg is a friend."
When quizzed about whether she'd been forced to have an awkward chat with Amber to clear the air, Maura said: "No, not at all. Why would I have to speak to her about it? Greg is a friend and did nothing wrong.
"Greg is a friend of mine from the villa. There's nothing to say."
The girls showed there were no hard feelings at the fancy do last night, with Amber coming along to support her pal.
She was also joined by Chris Taylor, Francesca Allen, India Reynolds, lovebirds Joe Garratt and Lucie Donlan, Belle Hassan, Anna Vakili - and of course Curtis.
She is yet to make her relationship with Curtis official since leaving the villa, as the pair vow to take things slowly.
"Just because people pressure you into labelling something doesn't mean you have to do something you don't want to do," says Maura.
"We're on the same page and taking things slow. I don't want to rush into anything.
"I wouldn't have before Love Island, so why do it now?
"We're happy with how things are going, so we won't let people pressure us.
"I'm living in London now so we see each other all of the time and he stays at mine loads. We see each other most days."
Maura was announced as a new brand ambassador for boohoo earlier this month.
But instead of just putting her face to clothes already made, Maura is working with the online retailer to design her very own collection this Christmas.
"I don't want to rush it," Maura says.
"I want to put everything into it and for it to be very authentic to me, so I need to take my time.
"I've spoken about designing clothes my whole life. It's literally a dream of mine.
";I want to have it fun, quirky, very much me. I want it to be perfect."
When pushed on which celebrity she dreams of wearing her designs, Maura laughs: "Rihanna. I'd want Rihanna to wear something of mine.
"That would be incredible. Imagine!"
She's also been announced as the host of boohoo's first podcast, which launches next week.
"I can't believe it," she squeals.
"We've already recorded the first episode. It's going to loads of fun, with lots of guests who inspire me and fellow islanders too.
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"It's going to be chilled and relaxed, we'll just be having a good gossip really.
She's got high hopes of it being as successful as Gemma Collins' new podcast which reached number one two weeks ago.
"I really hope it's going to [shoot up the charts].
"I'll think positively. I'm a positive girl."
- Items modelled are available now on .
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