MAURA Higgins has stirred up a glitter storm on Dancing with the Stars amid claims she is being “set up to win” — having been paired with her Celebrity Traitors pal Mark Ballas.
Ex-Love Island contestant Maura, 35, is also at odds with her co-stars after publicly hammering show pro dancer Gleb Savchenko for being sexist, weeks before he was axed.
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The Irish beauty now looks to be sashaying towards the glitterball trophy alongside Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas’s son Mark.
A source said: “Maura’s been rubbing everyone up the wrong way, even before their first spray tans have dried.
“She was desperate to be partnered with Mark, who’s hugely popular, and was dead against Gleb, who’s now out of a job.
“It’s as if what Maura says goes.
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“She’s even made sure to get close to judge Bruno Tonioli and wasted no time posing arm-in-arm with him after a night out.
“It’s not gone unnoticed within the cast that she’s being favoured.
“It’s as if she’s being set up to win.”
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Maura made a name for herself in America on The Traitors US, where she reached the final with pro dancer Mark this year.
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Now she hopes starring in America’s biggest dance show will help win over more fans ahead of the reboot of former Saturday night dating show classic, Blind Date, which she is set to host on Disney+.
But she has an uphill battle with her co-stars first.
Our insider added: “The cast has always been a family, but before the show even started she was bringing the drama.
“Although it’s a competition, they’re all loyal to each other, so there’s bad feeling among those who were close to Gleb who are saying ‘This isn’t Love Island’.
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“Maura is stunning and full of personality, so show bosses know she’ll have a great impact and want to keep her happy.”
Maura appeared oblivious to the backstage murmurings when she said this week: “I’ve been dying to do this show. And already, I’m only one week in, everyone is so lovely.
“And it’s so true what everyone on the cast says — it’s literally like family.”
She also ruled out any romances on the show, after her close pal, model Brooks Nader, fell for her pro partner Gleb in 2024.
He had been on DWTS since 2013, and dated Brooks on and off last year.
But after a messy break-up he called it “the worst sex of my life”.
Maura hit back ahead of his sacking, saying: “I’d be happy to be paired with anyone except Gleb.
“That’s only because I’m loyal and I’m friends with Brooks.
“I don’t like the way he speaks about women.
“I don’t really want to spend all my time with someone like that.”
Gleb fuelled speculation he had been axed because of Brooks’ cheating claims when he said online: “14 years of loyalty, erased by someone’s lie.”
But he later told fans: “Guys, I promise… I’m good.
“Nothing but love and gratitude for all the years in that ballroom.
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“Excited for this next chapter — and wishing everyone an amazing season.”
Maura and the show, which starts on September 15, were asked to comment.