Giovanni Pernice ‘dumped blindsided Maura Higgins two weeks ago with Love Island star left heartbroken’

Maura and Giovanni have split after four months

Giovanni Pernice dumped Maura Higgins two weeks ago in a shock decision the Love Island star didn’t see coming, according to recent reports.

The couple sparked break-up rumours earlier this week when fans noticed they had deleted almost all trace of each other from their Instagram accounts.

Now new reports suggest that the couple did not only break up, but that the decision was one-sided and Maura has been left ‘heartbroken’.

According to The Sun, a source has claimed that Giovanni broke up with the model and presenter two weeks ago, citing the couple’s busy schedules and lack of time together, and that he was not ready to settle down.

Maura is flying ‘here, there and everywhere’ for her modelling career and Giovanni is ‘working 24/7 on Strictly’, and does not plan to settle down after this season of Strictly is over, the source claimed.

Maura is said to have been blindsided by the decision and is ‘finding it very difficult to come to terms with [the breakup] as she ‘genuinely thought Gio was the one’.

The pair only went public with their relationship in July of this year, and appeared to be falling hard for each other until Gio reportedly decided to end things.

The couple appeared to have been falling hard for each other before Giovanni reportedly ended things (Picture: Instagram)

The source added that ‘it’s not easy going out with someone who’s on Strictly Come Dancing, with all the history there’- referring to the notorious Strictly curse.

And to make things worse, Gio’s former flame Katie McGlynn was on this series of the show.

Despite this, Maura was ‘hugely supportive’ of Giovanni and is said to be ‘utterly heartbroken’ – though the source acknowledged she will ‘brush herself down and bounce back’.

News of their split might come as a shock as Maura and Giovanni were thought to be taking the next step in their relationship, amid speculation they were moving in together.

Maura is said to be ‘heartbroken’ after her relationship with Giovanni came to an end (Instagram @maurahiggins )

A source had previously told MailOnline that things ‘have become serious very quickly between Maura and Gio and they are now ready to move things up a level by getting their own place’.

More: Showbiz

‘They both lead incredibly busy lives and spend a lot of time on the road working – so having somewhere they can come back to and always be together is incredibly important.

‘They have been talking about it and would like to start looking as soon as they can.’

The model also shared snaps of packed boxes and suitcases covering her flat last week, with the message: ‘It’s finally moving week!’

Metro.co.uk has reached out to reps for Maura for comment.

Representatives for Giovanni declined to comment.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Married At First Sight’s Jessika Power jokes she might melt due to cosmetic makeover worth over £30k

MORE : The Wire named best TV show of 21st century – do you agree?