I'm A Celeb fans shocked at Maura’s age after finding out how old she actually is

It's been five years since reality star Maura Higgins first appeared on our television screens, but it's only now she's in the I'm A Celeb jungle that many of her fans are realising just how old she really is.

Well, not 'old'. We're not 'ageist' over here on Team Tyla - but let's just say, many viewers expected her to be considerably younger than she actually is.

For those unfamiliar with the much-loved Irish star, Ballymahon-born Maura shot to fame all the way back in 2019 when she was cast on the fifth series of Love Island.

She and TOWIE star Elma Pazar strutted into the villa together one week in as 'bombshells' with the aim of stirring up some drama - and that, they very much did.

At the time, Maura attempted to steal Tommy Fury from her now-bff Molly-Mae Hague, after which she endured a stream of mediocre love interests before eventually landing on Curtis Pritchard.

Though the pair split less than a year after the series came to an end, Maura had already solidified her spot in the Love Island 'hall of fame', and went on to become one of the show's most successful stars, even landed a gig hosting the US version of Aftersun, the dating series' spin-off.

And since she and Reverend Richard Coles' were dropped into the I'm A Celeb camp as chaos-causing latecomers, we've learned a lot about the ex-islander.

Maura appeared on Love Island in 2019 (ITV)

As well as opening up about her biggest jungle fears and lifting the lid on the 'real reason' she appeared on the ITV2 romance show, Maura has since revealed her age.

It turns out - hold onto your hats, folks - that the fan-favourite is actually 34.

She broke the news last night - in turn, revealing she was 28 when she appeared on Love Island - and has, apparently, left viewers absolutely blown away.

Taking to social media, one fan of the jungle hit simply couldn't believe the news: "How is Maura Higgins 34!!! I thought she was 28 tops"

Another added: "MAURA IS 34? I THOUGHT SHE WAS MY AGE"

Sharing a GIF of a shocked cat, one teased: "Twitter hearing it’s Maura’s birthday and she’s 34"

A fourth questioned: "MAURA IS 34??????"

"No way is Maura 34? She looks so much younger," another claimed.

Tulisa's age has also left fans mind blown (ITV)

"Maura Higgins is 34???" a sixth sought clarification.

The revelation comes just days after ITV viewers were equally blindsided to learn how old N-Dubz musician and Maura's camp-mate Tulisa Contostavlos is - especially being that it's been over a decade since she appeared as an X-Factor judge.

Having a glance through her social media profile prior to her IAC appearance, fans came across a video Tulisa posted on Instagram, where she could be seen eating cake to announce a milestone birthday.

"BIRTHDAY GIRRRRRLLLL!! #cake," the caption read, also revealing that she was 35.

Fans couldn't wait to rush into her comments to share their shock over her turning 35, with one praising: "You don’t look a day over 21."

Another quipped: "No way are you 35!"