EXCLUSIVE: Gleb Savchenko hits out at Maura Higgins after she told Dancing With The Stars bosses she will not work with the former Strictly professional09:49, 04 Aug 2026Updated 09:49, 04 Aug 2026Professional dancer Gleb Savchenko has blasted Maura Higgins for attempting to start "unnecessary drama” and insisted he's "never heard of her", amid reports she is refusing to be paired up with him on Dancing With The Stars.‌Things kicked off when the Love Island icon, 35, reportedly told bosses she wants nothing to do with the professional dancer on the upcoming season, because she 'doesn't like the way he speaks about women.'‌Maura, 42, is also close friends with Gleb's ex girlfriend Brooks Nader who started dating the dancer when they competed on the show in 2024.‌With just a few weeks to go until the series starts on September 15, an insider claimed that Gleb was less than impressed by Maura's remarks, suggesting that filming will be “really awkward”.‌Responding to Maura, Gleb spoke to the Mirror and said he was being attacked by a 'complete stranger.'Not mincing his words, Gleb told the Mirror of the reports: “Until I was asked to comment on this story, I’d genuinely never heard of this girl, Maura, so I’m certainly not going to lose any sleep over the opinions of someone I’ve never met.“It’s odd to publicly attack a complete stranger, but if that’s how she wants to make headlines before the show starts, that’s her choice. I’ll stay focused and leave the unnecessary drama to everyone else.”‌The dancer, who has been on DWTS since 2013, previously made headlines when he opened up about his relationship with reality star Brooks, branding it “the worst sex” he’s ever had.The pair dated during the show until October 2024, when they briefly went their separate ways before reuniting. However, it wasn’t to last and they officially ended their fling last April.In a mortifying interview, he later claimed: "When I dated her, it was pretty bad. Probably the worst sex of my life. She was so f***ed up.‌“She wanted to make out with me, and I was like, 'That's not my vibe. She choked me, pushed me against the wall, chipped my tooth…”While Brooks had nothing but nice things to say about their time spent in the bedroom, Maura was furious over Gleb’s interview and made her feelings known.‌Speaking to E! News after she was unveiled on the DWTS line-up, she was questioned about who she would want to dance with when the competition begins. She told the publication: "I'd be happy with anyone except Gleb.""That's only because I'm loyal and I'm friends with Brooks," she insisted. "I don't really like the way he speaks about women."I don't really want to spend all my time with someone like that.Article continues belowSharing the pro she would love to be coupled up with, she named Mark Ballas - after their time on the Traitors together.The Mirror has contacted Maura’s reps for a comment.Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .