Curtis Pritchard insists he and Maura Higgins are 'super strong'… and reveals plans for HOLLYWOOD

Ex-Love Island star Curtis Pritchard has insisted he and Maura Higgins are ‘super strong’ but that they only see each other once or twice a week.

The reality star, 23, told MailOnline that it’s tough to juggle their romance given their hectic schedules, but that they make it work regardless.

‘She’s in London, I’m not there as much. So it’s hard, he admitted. ‘We manage to see each other maybe once or twice a week. But we’re super strong. 

Still a thing: Ex-Love Island star Curtis Pritchard has insisted he and Maura Higgins are ‘super strong’ but that they only see each other once or twice a week

‘It’s just been her birthday. I gave her two presents every day leading up to the day.’ 

Maura, 29,  is currently manic training for January’s season of Dancing On Ice, while Curtis – who is a trained dancer – is using his forthcoming pantomime Dick Whittington to give being a thespian a whirl – with his sights set on acting stardom in the future.

‘I’m playing [lead role] Dick in the show!’ he said. ‘I always wanted to be an actor. I want to be a film star – in the [Marvel film series] Avengers. So this panto is like an introduction and a learning curve for me.

‘Acting is something I enjoy. And I always want to do stuff I enjoy.’

Triple threat? Curtis – who is a trained dancer – is using his forthcoming pantomime Dick Whittington to give being a thespian a whirl – with his sights set on acting stardom in the future

Curtis described himself as ‘a triple threat’ in the panto – singing, acting and dancing – and has taken ‘as many singing lessons as possible’ ahead of his run in the show.

Asked about propelling his acting career further next year, Curtis said: ‘Well I’m busy til next March – but if Hollywood comes calling, I’ll blimmin’ well answer!’

Curtis has promised plenty of family – and adult – humour in Dick Whittington, which starts rehearsals next week and kicks off on December 13 in High Wycombe, Bucks.

‘I don’t know how they get away with it!’ he said of some of the smut. ‘But it’s very much a family show. It’s the kind of thing that’ll just go over the kids’ heads.’

Cheeky: Curtis has promised plenty of family – and adult – humour in Dick Whittington, which starts rehearsals next week and kicks off on December 13 in High Wycombe, Bucks

Curtis will be flat-out, with very little time off over the holidays – while his older brother AJ, 25, performs in Peter Pan at Dunstable’s Grove Theatre.

This proves an issue for the festive celebrations, given that the boys’ parents live in Stoke, miles from their respective pantomime towns.

‘My parents are going to have to come down this way,’ Curtis explained. ‘And we’ll celebrate somewhere around here.’

AJ was booted from Strictly Come Dancing over the weekend, which Curtis admitted with ‘unlucky’.

‘I guess somebody has to leave every week. AJ is just the unluckiest samba dancer, he’s gone out four times now doing the samba. It’s extremely hard to do. But everything that happens in life is a learning curve and experience.’

No bad blood (brothers): Would Curtis ditch his plans for Hollywood for a stint on Strictly? Or does he consider that venturing onto AJ’s turf?

Would Curtis ditch his plans for Hollywood for a stint on Strictly? Or does he consider that venturing onto AJ’s turf?

‘This is the thing – the opportunities that have come to me since Love Island are incredible. I’d love to do Strictly, but I’m not sure it’s the correct thing to do. But Love Island has honestly been life changing.

‘And it makes no difference if I work with AJ. Working opposite him is our dream. We want to do some presenting together, we want to work together more.’

He said: ‘Me and Tommy [Fury, also of Love Island 2019] have a show coming out in December. It’s called The Boxer To The Ballroom Dancer. We basically swap over. So I’m the boxer and he’s the ballroom dancer’

Bromance: ‘I love Tommy, he has a heart of gold, he’s one of the funniest guys, and it’s so amazing to work with him again,’ he added

It’s coming up to the year anniversary of Curtis and AJ’s nightclub altercation, which saw them targeted by thugs while home for Christmas break.

But Curtis ‘doesn’t look backwards’ or dwell on this – and is even taking on a boxing challenge this week.

‘Me and Tommy [Fury, also of Love Island 2019] have a show coming out in December. It’s called The Boxer To The Ballroom Dancer. We basically swap over. So I’m the boxer and he’s the ballroom dancer. 

‘I love Tommy, he has a heart of gold, he’s one of the funniest guys, and it’s so amazing to work with him again.’

Catch Curtis in Dick Whittington at the Wycombe Swan from Friday 13 December 2019 – Sunday 5 January 2020.