Love Island’s Chris Taylor gets a big hug from Shaughna Phillips

Chris Taylor received a warm embrace from Shaughna Phillips on Thursday, after his ex Maura Higgins went Instagram official with her new boyfriend Giovanni Pernice.

The 29-year-old reality star looked sombre as he sought shelter from the rain ahead of an interview on Heat’s Under The Duvet.

He then reached out for a hug from Shaughna, who appeared on Love Island the season after he did.   

Supporting: Love Island’s Chris Taylor received a big hug from Shaughna Phillips on Thursday – after his ex Maura Higgins went Instagram official about her new romance

The former Islanders seemed to be pleased to see each other and stood chatting for a bit before heading inside the building. 

Chris look the image of cool as he stood in a doorway wearing a black and white checked shirt featuring two large pockets on the front.

He coupled his shirt with a pair of skinny black denim jeans and white canvas shoes on his feet. 

Meanwhile, Shaughna flashed her midriff as she arrived wearing a white crop beneath a red and white checked shirt.

She's moved on: Maura split from Chris in May and is now dating Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice

New romance: Giovanni (pictured) is said to be moving 'really quickly' with Maura

She’s moved on: Maura split from Chris in May and is now dating Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice

Like Chris, Shaughna too wore denim jeans, but opted for a pair in a light shade of blue.

And she finished off her ensemble with a pair of flip flops and a Louis Vuitton handbag.

Chris and Shaughna weren’t the only former Love Islanders to record for Under The Duvet. 

Friendly: The 29-year-old former Islander was seen seeking shelter from the rain beneath as he greeted Shaughna in London following an interview on Heat's Under The Duvet

Chirpy: Shaughna looked to be in high spirits despite the poor weather

Friendly: The 29-year-old former Islander was seen seeking shelter from the rain beneath as he greeted Shaughna in London ahead of an interview on Heat’s Under The Duvet

Shannon Singh, who lasted just two days in the current Love Island series before being evicted, was also spotted making her way to the show’s studios to record an interview.

The 23-year-old star looked sensational as she strode through the capital, despite the poor weather conditions.

Shannon flashed her toned abs in a simple black top that featured a twist tie at the front.

Catching up: Chris looked the image of cool as he stood in a doorway wearing a black and white checked shirt featuring two large pockets on the front

Catching up: Chris looked the image of cool as he stood in a doorway wearing a black and white checked shirt featuring two large pockets on the front

She had also prepared for the intermittent rain showers and wore a large black coat, which had a noticeable lime green interior.

On her lower half, Shannon wore a pair of figure-hugging black leather trousers.

On her feet, Shannon wore a pair of black heels and accessorised her look with a small black Off White handbag. 

Shannon was explosively dumped from the Love Island villa after just 48 hours after Chloe Burrows, 25, picked Aaron Francis to couple up with, leaving her single.  

Fashionable: Meanwhile Shaughna flashed her midriff as she arrived wearing a white crop beneath a red and white checked shirt

Fashionable: Meanwhile Shaughna flashed her midriff as she arrived wearing a white crop beneath a red and white checked shirt

The outing comes after Chris’ ex Maura finally went Instagram official with new beau Giovanna  as she shared a sweet snap of them holding hands on Wednesday night.

The Love Island star and the Strictly professional, both, 30, looked cosy as they enjoyed a romantic dinner date.

Maura shared the sweet snap on her Instagram Story but didn’t post any selfies showing their faces.

It looked like the pair had enjoyed a swanky dinner out with red wine and a tasty looking dessert.

Giovanni was wearing a smart navy suit and watch while Maura only showed her perfectly pink manicured nails.  

Newly evicted: Shannon Singh, who lasted just two days in the Love Island villa before being evicted, was also spotted making her way to the show's studios to record an interview

Newly evicted: Shannon Singh, who lasted just two days in the Love Island villa before being evicted, was also spotted making her way to the show’s studios to record an interview

Giovanni is said to be moving ‘really quickly’ with Maura.

The pair were pictured for the first time enjoying a night out in a drag bar last week in Blackpool – where the Italian dancer is performing in a new show.

MailOnline revealed on Sunday that Giovanni and Maura have spent several nights at a hotel in the bucket and spade resort. 

And he’s introduced her to the cast and crew of the Him And Me show he’s starring in with new Strictly judge, Anton. 

Sensational: The 23-year-old looked sensational as she strode through the capital, despite the poor weather conditions

Sensational: The 23-year-old looked sensational as she strode through the capital, despite the poor weather conditions

Dressed to impress: Shannon flashed her toned abs in a simple black top that featured a twist tie at the front

Dressed to impress: Shannon flashed her toned abs in a simple black top that featured a twist tie at the front

A source said: ‘Gio and Maura are very much a couple. Everyone know he’s played the field in the past but he is serious about Maura. He’s smitten with her, they’ve become close really quickly and are spending a lot of time together in Blackpool.

‘She’s become pals with all of the cast and crew of Him and Me too and they think she’s great. Maura has also met Anton and they got on brilliantly.’

The pair went public with their love for the first time last week at Sapphires, Blackpool’s Premier Drag Cabaret Show Bar.

Italian hunk Giovanni, who was last year paired with Good Morning Britain’s Ranvir Singh on Strictly, treated Maura to some of the legendary dance skills. 

Monochrome: On her feet, Shannon wore a pair of black heels and accessorised her look with a small black Off White handbag

Monochrome: On her feet, Shannon wore a pair of black heels and accessorised her look with a small black Off White handbag

An onlooker who saw them in Blackpool on Thursday night said: ‘They turned up with a large group of friends. They’d booked a VIP area of the venue to themselves and everyone was having a good time, dancing and singing.

‘Maura and Giovanni joined in. They had clearly bubbled together as they were together all night and looked totally smitten with each other.

‘They spent about an hour away from the group playing pool. At one point they appeared to be having a bit of a row but it couldn’t have been that serious because they left together and looked very much like a couple.’

Reports last week claimed Giovanni was in the early stages of a relationship with Maura, who split from fellow Love Island star Chris Taylor, 30, earlier this year. 

Close: Chris' outing came after his ex Maura and her new partner Giovanni, both, 30, went Instagram official and looked cosy as they enjoyed a romantic dinner date

Close: Chris’ outing came after his ex Maura and her new partner Giovanni, both, 30, went Instagram official and looked cosy as they enjoyed a romantic dinner date

Last Tuesday, the reality beauty reportedly kissed Giovanni and wished him good luck ahead of his performance with Anton in their Him and Me show, which is drawing in crowds at the Blackpool Opera House.

During its run, Giovanni and new Strictly judge Anton are staying at Blackpool’s The Big Blue Hotel – which is close to where the pair enjoyed their night out last week.

Maura and Giovanni first sparked rumours they were an item after sharing very similar photos from inside Wembley Stadium last month.

They posted Instagram snaps with the same view while watching Italy vs Austria in the Euros on June 26.

She is said to be taking her romance with the Strictly Come Dancing star – who has previously dated Ashley Roberts and Georgia May Foote – ‘slowly’ because she’s ‘worried he could be a player’. 

But a source who spotted them last week added: ‘Maura shouldn’t worry too much – he looked totally head over heels with her and who can blame him. She’s stunning.’

It's over: Maura's ex-boyfriend Chris, (pictured together) who she split from in May, hasn't posted on social media since the news broke of her new relationship with Giovanni

It’s over: Maura’s ex-boyfriend Chris, (pictured together) who she split from in May, hasn’t posted on social media since the news broke of her new relationship with Giovanni 

Maura and Giovanni were also seen enjoying a staycation together in Cornwall last month, though they have attempted to keep their blossoming romance under wraps for as long as possible.  

Maura and Giovanni follow each other on Instagram and the dancer has been showing his affection for the ex-Islander by liking her pictures. 

Maura’s ex-boyfriend Chris, who she split from in May, hasn’t posted on social media since the news broke of her new relationship with Giovanni. 

Giovanni’s ex-girlfriends include Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, TOWIE’s Jess Wright and soap actress Georgia May Foote, while Maura fell for ballroom dancer Curtis Pritchard on Love Island in 2019.

Curtis’ brother AJ will know Giovanni well after starring with him on Strictly for years, before he left the BBC series in 2020.

Last year, while performing with his celeb partner Ranvir, the pair were rumoured to have grown close due to their chemistry, which was noted by the Strictly judges.  

Giovanni started dating Georgia after they were paired together on Strictly, while his ex-Ashley also competed on the series prior them becoming a couple. 

Connections: Giovanni's exes include Ashley Roberts and Jess Wright, while Maura's former flame Curtis Pritchard will know Giovanni through his brother AJ (pictured) who used to be on Strictly

Connections: Giovanni’s exes include Ashley Roberts and Jess Wright, while Maura’s former flame Curtis Pritchard will know Giovanni through his brother AJ (pictured) who used to be on Strictly