Maura Higgins has reportedly got a taste for dancing since dating Strictly star Giovanni Pernice and is said to be hoping to land a stint on the show.
The Love Island beauty and the Strictly Come Dancing professional recently confirmed their romance, and a new report suggests Maura has now set her sights on securing a place on the next series of the BBC One show with the help of her man.
A source has new! magazine it has been Maura's "dream" for years to be on Strictly and she is hoping her new relationship with Giovanni will give her a leg up in securing a place when the show returns later this year.
The insider told the magazine: "They do really like each other, but friends think their relationship could also be a boost for both of their careers.
"Maura's dream is to be on Strictly. She really likes Giovanni but she also knows this relationship could benefit her."
Strictly bosses were previously rumoured to have banned reality stars from competing, but the previous inclusion of Made In Chelsea's Jamie Laing appears to have opened the doors for more telly favourites to compete.
Maura and Giovanni were romantically linked after being seen together at a hotel in Blackpool, where the pro was taking part in a dance show.
They were also spotted looking cosy as they enjoyed an evening at Sapphire's nightclub in the north west seaside town.
An insider added to new!: "Maura and Giovanni have a lovely connection and they are getting on really well."
"Giovanni is very keen on her - she's a beautiful girl."
The couple are said to be serious about each other and Giovanni has already introduced Maura - who previously dated fellow Love Island star Christopher Taylor - to his friends.
A source told MailOnline : "Gio and Maura are very much a couple. Everyone know he’s played the field in the past but he is serious about Maura. He’s smitten with her, they’ve become close really quickly and are spending a lot of time together in Blackpool.
"She’s become pals with all of the cast and crew of Him and Me too and they think she’s great. Maura has also met Anton and they got on brilliantly."
Their romance was believed to have started out as a bit of "fun" but they soon fell for one another.
"They're a thing now. At first it was just a couple of dates and some fun but it's getting more serious and they're clearly really into each other," a source told The Sun newspaper earlier this month.
