Dancing on Ice hunk Alex Demetriou ‘has eyes set on Maura Higgins’ after marriage to wife Carlotta collapses

SHE may not have won this year’s Dancing on Ice but Maura Higgins sure grabbed all the headlines.

On Sunday night the suspected love triangle between the former Love Islander, Alexander Demetriou and his wife Carlotta Edwards took another dramatic twist when he announced his marriage was over.

Dancing on Ice hunk Alex Demetriou ‘has his eyes set on Maura Higgins’, pictured, after admitting marriage his marriage to Carlotta collapsedCredit: Mark Hayman – Fabulous

It comes just two weeks after The Sun revealed he and fellow show pro Carlotta were taking a break from each other.

Sources close to the show hunk believe he now has his sights set on something more serious with the Irish model.

Pals close to the Blackpool-born skater believe his relationship with Maura, although purely platonic throughout Dancing on Ice, was the catalyst behind his decision to finally end his marriage.

A friend said: “Alexander is very taken with Maura. Those around her insist it’s just friendship but like most men, they go weak around Maura.

“Her confidence attracts men. It’s not her fault he finds her attractive and wants to spend time with her. It’s totally natural.

CARLOTTA’S BRAVE FACE IS SLIPPING

“But for Carlotta this has been really tough and it seems it’s going to get tougher before it gets easier.”

Carlotta, 30, and Alexander, 28, had put on a united front for months after the Canadian pro begged him to give their four-year marriage a chance.

Last month she flew back to her homeland to spend time with her family while Alexander, who removed his wedding ring in February, stayed in the UK to give them time to consider the future.

A source close to her said: “Carlotta was desperate to work it out with Alexander but knows he’s had his head turned by Maura.

“They’ve not spoken for a long time but Alexander’s friendship with Maura made him realise his marriage to Carlotta was not what he wanted.

Pro dancers Alex and Carlotta took a break from each other shortly after Dancing on Ice finishedCredit: Instagram

Alex and Maura performing on Dancing on IceCredit: Rex Features

“Her family and their friends thought they could work through it but Alexander was adamant he wanted out. There was nothing else Carlotta could do but watch him leave.”

Despite Carlotta’s pleas, Alexander went ahead with the Instagram statement leaving her bereft.

Addressing his followers, Alexander wrote: “I’m sorry I have been quiet on social media recently but it’s been a tough time personally for me.

“Carlotta and I have separated. Although it saddens me that we can no longer be together, I feel this is best for the both of us.

“I’m looking forward to what the future will bring but in the meantime let’s all stay home and stay safe.”

Alex is very taken with Maura. Like most men, he goes weak around her

Alexander Demetriou’s friend

The message, posted around 5pm, left Carlotta mortified after her attempts to put on a united front with Alexander. More than 24 hours later she had still not posted a response.

A pal close to her explained: “Carlotta knew Alexander was going to put the statement up but it wasn’t what she wanted.

“She wanted to make her relationship with Alexander work but he has clearly moved on in his mind and wants something different now.

“It’s been incredibly painful. She’s had to watch his friendship with Maura develop and grow and that has been tough.

“She managed to put on a brave face during Dancing On Ice but now it’s slipping.”

Maura's boyfriend Curtis, pictured, claimed he has also struggled with Maura’s close friendship with Alexander — Maura’s boyfriend Curtis, pictured, claimed he has also struggled with Maura’s close friendship with Alexander

Those close to Carlotta said she had sensed Alexander wasn’t happy at the end of January, just a few weeks after the dancing show’s 12th series kicked off.

Carlotta was paired with married magician Ben Hanlin, 34, and pals say she struggled with jealousy over Alexander’s friendship with Maura after the two were teamed up.

A show insider explained: “Maura is stunning, fiery and independent – not many people who meet her aren’t automatically charmed by her.

“Alexander was obviously one of those. Maura made it clear it was just friendship but naturally it wasn’t easy for Carlotta to see her husband fawning after someone else.”

To make matters worse for Carlotta, Maura split up with her boyfriend, Curtis Pritchard, at the beginning of March.

‘WASN’T EASY FOR CARLOTTA’

Curtis, who had met the beauty eight months earlier on the ITV2 dating show, went on to claim he had also struggled with Maura’s close friendship with Alexander.

In an interview with The Sun, Curtis, 24, said: “I have no proof that anything more has happened between them. I don’t like to think about it.

“I don’t want to look back over the past few months for warning signs. But it’s not nice to read about her relationship with Alexander and to see pictures of them together.”

Just days later, Alexander’s pals revealed his split with Carlotta but the couple were keen to keep a united front to quell the flames of a rumoured romance with Maura.

On March 9 Carlotta posted an Instagram snap of her and Alexander captioned: “Love this one so much. Can’t wait for you guys to see the voting window routine. It’s truly magical.”

Alexander posted a picture of himself running in Blackpool, where he is thought to have been staying, and hinted at making a fresh startCredit: Instagram

Alexander reportedly continued to lean on Maura as a friend after the show

But in reality, tension between the couple had begun to show behind the scenes.

The show’s production team had tried to keep Carlotta and Maura distanced during rehearsals for the final the day before.

At the time, a show insider revealed: “Backstage Carlotta and Maura were kept apart, with Maura being taken under pro-skater Matt Evers’s wing.

Even the make-up department were briefed to work on them at different times.

“Dancing On Ice is an intense show at the best of times but when a relationship is under strain, it can be intensified by the environment.”

‘ALEXANDER AND I ARE SO CLOSE’

When the series ended, Carlotta flew to Canada with Alexander’s blessing to think about their future.

Alexander, who was pictured visiting Maura at her home last month, continued to lean on the reality star as a friend and she shot down any idea of a relationship between them.

In an interview with The Sun’s Fabulous Magazine, Maura distanced herself from Carlotta and said she thought of Alexander as nothing more than friend.

“Alexander and I are so close – we’ve trained together for months.

“Obviously we’re going to be close, exactly like every other partner on the show. But that’s it.

Stunning Maura said she ended her romance with Curtis because she wanted moreCredit: Mark Hayman – Fabulous

“We’re very close friends and we get on well. We have such a laugh and we are still going to be friends.

“No matter what’s said, I’m not going to be afraid to hang out with him.”

Maura also shot down Curtis’ claims he’d worried about her friendship with Alexander, saying she ended the romance because she wanted more.

She said: “I’m my own brand. I don’t need anyone, there’s no point denying it. I just felt like I’m 29 and I want someone that I can see a future with. I’m not getting any younger.”

Alexander posted a picture of himself running in Blackpool, where he is thought to have been staying, and hinted at making a fresh start.