Pete Wicks ‘relieved about Maura Higgins split after her drunken kiss with Danny Jones’

Pete Wicks is reportedly ‘relieved’ to have split from Maura Higgins when he did (Picture: Instagram/Shutterstock/Backgrid)

After making headlines with his love life for over a decade, Pete Wicks is seemingly glad to be away from the drama.

Last week, Maura Higgins and Danny Jones shocked everyone when they were filmed looking very cosy and appearing to kiss at a Brit Awards afterparty.

The Love Island star, 34, and McFly singer, 38, sent social media into meltdown with their display, given that Danny has been married to Georgia Horsley for over 10 years. They also share a little boy.

While neither I’m A Celebrity 2024 star has commented publicly on the scandal, sources say Strictly’s Pete is just glad he parted ways with Maura when he did.

After years of friendship, the fiery reality TV personalities are believed to have started dating in August, having been spotted on a series of romantic outings and locking lips.

However, they reportedly called it quits on Valentine’s Day due to a series of arguments.

Maura and McFly’s Danny Jones appeared to share a drunken kiss at a Brit Awards bash last week (Picture: Backgrid)

Following single Maura and married man Danny’s liaison, an insider close to Pete, 36, told OK! Magazine: ‘This sort of attention is exactly what Pete doesn’t want.

‘He’s seen this sort of media circus happen when he was on Towie and it’s not the sort of relationship he wants.’

They added: ‘It’s a shame because it will probably bring his guard back up and he just wants to find someone he can genuinely love.’

The source also claimed that neither Maura nor Danny viewed their apparent kiss as anything ‘meaningful’ as it was ‘totally innocent’.

‘They got on really well in the jungle, and it’s just foolish that they let themselves get caught up in something after a big party night, especially so publicly,’ said the insider.

Pete attended the ceremony with pal Olivia Attwood (Picture: Ash Knotek/Shutterstock)

After Maura and Pete called time on their fling, it was said they ‘remained close’ and still share a ‘deep connection’.

‘There have been a few clashes, and it was eventually agreed they were better off as friends,’ a source told MailOnline.

‘Those closest to them know it’s been a very on-and-off relationship, which is why they were so resistant to go public in the first place.’

Refusing to rule out a possible reconciliation—before the kick-off involving Danny at the Brits—the source added: ‘You never know with Maura and Pete, the attraction is so strong that you wouldn’t rule out a reunion at some point—even in the short term.’

Maura and Pete repeatedly played coy when quizzed on their possible romantic connection. The Irish influencer repeatedly insisted that she was ‘single,’ but confirmed during her jungle stint that she had been ‘seeing someone’ before entering.

Danny has been married to Georgia Horsley for over 10 years and they share a son (Picture: Instagram)

Upon her exit, she told This Morning’s Alison Hammond that she had ‘missed’ Pete while away from normal life, declaring she was ‘so proud’ of him for reaching the Strictly semi-final.

While Maura’s dating life repeatedly makes headlines, Danny has been settled with his wife since 2014, welcoming son Cooper in 2018.

Danny and Georgia first met at an event in 2009, and they began dating a year later.

While the married couple often walks red carpets together, the Miss England beauty did not attend the 2025 Brits. Instead, Danny was joined by bandmate Tom Fletcher.

The All About You hitmakers sat at a different table to Maura inside the O2 Arena last Saturday, with Danny even seen chatting to podcaster Pete at one point, having become close pals.

Pete and Maura have been friends for years, but are thought to have started dating last summer before splitting on Valentine’s Day (Picture: Ricky Vigil M/Justin E Palmer/GC Images)

Later on, Danny met up with Maura at 80 Studios on The Strand in central London for a late-night bash.

They are believed to have walked to the foyer together around 3am, which is when they were filmed appearing to kiss.

It’s been said he and Georgia have held ‘crisis talks’ in light of the incident, as it’s been claimed they wish to ‘move past it’.

Reps for Pete Wicks have been contacted for comment.

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