Curtis Pritchard proves love for Maura Higgins is real with gushing Valentine's post

Curtis Pritchard's gushing tribute to Maura Higgins flies in the face of nay-sayers who believed their romance was fake, as they celebrate six months together

Curtis Pritchard has paid loving tribute to his girlfriend Maura Higgins, who he met on Love Island last summer.

He posted a series of loved up photos including one of the smitten couple as they cuddled up, Maura sporting a huge puffa jacket and Curtis in a black hoody.

Handsome Curtis appears to be growing a whiskery beard and letting his hair grow longer, and by the look of Maura's tight embrace she's a big fan.

Curtis wrote a soppy caption alongside the snap to illustrate his love, proving wrong all the haters who called their relationship a "showmance".

"Happy valentine's day to this little button nose.. cant wait to see you later ... @maurahiggins you are a incredible person #loveyou," he wrote.

Their Love Island co star Lucie Donlan commented with a row of love hearts, and another fan commented saying she had never seen him say 'love you' before to Maura, so they may have only just started to say it to each other.

"And people said it wouldn't last pffft happy Valentines day lads," added another.

Other photos from the post show the couple dressed up to the nines in a glamorous hotel, and another of them outside posing in front of a car with their arms around each other.

Maura has yet to pay tribute to her ballroom dancer boyfriend on the romantic occasion, but she is likely busy rehearsing for Sunday's Dancing On Ice.

Last week, she achieved her highest ever score on the show - and she has since been rehearsing wearing a crash helmet as her routine is so dangerous.

She is now attempting a "dangerous" lift which she is hoping to perform helmet free on Sunday's episode of the ice skating competition.

Updating her fans on her training regime, the reality TV personality took to her Instagram stories clad in her crash helmet on Saturday morning to share her horror and worry about the trick she is practicing with partner Alexander Demetriou.

She said to the camera: "Guys I am about to attempt a very dangerous move on the ice and they are making me wear a helmet because it is that dangerous, God help me!"

The brunette continued: "You may see it on Sunday if it goes to plan but I am petrified."