Pete Wicks’ friends have strongly denied claims that he cheated on Maura Higgins, insisting the messages found on his phone were "innocent communication with friends and colleagues."
The defence comes after the former Love Island contestant suggested Wicks had been unfaithful, leading to their recent split.
A source close to the Strictly star told MailOnline: "The truth is Pete did nothing wrong. He did not cheat.
"The messages were simply innocent communication with friends and colleagues - he often messages friends of the same sex but it wasn't cheating.”
According to friends, Wicks has been left hurt by Higgins' accusations, particularly as he's been working to repair his "bad boy" reputation.
"He has been open and honest about errors made in his past and how he struggles to commit in relationships.
Maura showed off her single Valentine's day
"To continue the same narrative when he's now a better man is very unfair. It's not the same old Pete, he has worked really hard to mature and better himself over the years," the source added to MailOnline.
They said that Pete "still adores her and the last thing he wants to do is publicly or privately trash her."
The couple's split emerged after Higgins reportedly discovered messages on Wicks’ phone, leading to trust issues between the pair.
On Valentine's Day, Higgins made her feelings clear when asked about Wicks’ whereabouts outside London's Sheesh restaurant, and allegedly responded: "Dunno, probably cheating."
The star showed off the flowers she gifted herself
She further emphasised her single status by sending herself flowers with a note reading "To Me, Love Me."
The former couple had been dating for several months after their six-year friendship turned romantic, with sources telling MailOnline they decided to part ways after "a few clashes."
Speaking on a podcast in January, Wick had expressed his fondness for Higgins, highlighting their long-standing connection.
"We have the same sense of humour, she's super intelligent and I think that is sometimes something that people don't realise about Maura.
"She's incredibly witty. We have always been there for each other for the past six years at a distance."
The pair had grown closer after their respective TV appearances, with Wicks competing on Strictly Come Dancing while Higgins participated in I'm A Celebrity.
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The couple had been rumoured to be dating since last year
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Wicks and Higgins were reunited within days after she returned from her stint in Australia, with the Towie star being pictured in her intimate reunion.
They even spent Christmas together at Glasson Lakehouse in Maura's native Ireland before their relationship ended.
