Love Island star Chris Hughes has praised Maura Higgins for saving this season of the hit dating show from going "flat".
Speaking exclusively to Mirror Online alongside pal Kem Cetinay, the TV favourite hinted that the programme wouldn't have been up to scratch without the Irish beauty, who has won the nation's hearts with her sassy remarks and flirty one liners.
"I think if it weren't for Maura [the series] would be a bit flat," he said.
"There's just not many connections in the villa, nobody is really into eachother."
However, he was less complimentary about professional ballroom dancer Curtis Pritchard – who Maura has recently developed feelings for.
"I think if Maura couples up with the right person she could win it, because she is a bit of a fan favourite,' he went on.
"I think if she and Curtis could win it if they get together. But Curtis is a proper game player isn't he. Massively. "
Hinting that his feelings for Amy Hart were never the real deal, he added: "He weren't into Amy was he, bless him, but he tried. He gave it a shot".
Despite Chris' lack of enthusiasm for this year's cohort, Kem revealed he's been gripped by this year's islanders.
"Me and Chris usually agree on everything but I actually think its been the best series yet. I feel like I've been waiting for it to come on way more than I did last year," he chipped in.
Speaking about Amy's sensational decision to leave the show last week, Kem added: "I really admired her.
"We've got her on the podcast [Love Island: The Morning After] on Monday and I'm really excited to pick her brains a little bit. It was a brave move to do what she's done."
However, he added that the star's heartache may have been amplified while she was in the villa.
"It was Amy's first relationship...when she comes home and sees her friends and stuff I'm sure it wont feel as strong," he said.
"How heartbroken can you get in eight weeks? I know I cant say anything because I get smitten very easily."
Following last year’s appointment as the First Choice ‘Braggage Handlers’, Chris and Kem recently went back on holiday together, but this time with their mums in tow.
The families jetted off to the all-inclusive Jaz Aquamarine Resort in Egypt to compete in a series of brag-worthy challenges to show how First Choice holidays bring families together.
To watch the #BragRace film, visit: www.firstchoice.co.uk/bragrace
