Let’s be honest, the British tabloid circuit has seen its fair share of "I can’t believe they did that" moments, but the fallout from the Danny Jones and Maura Higgins saga hit a little differently. You’ve probably seen the grainy phone footage. It was March 2025, the air was cold outside 180 Studios on the Strand, and the Universal Music BRIT Awards after-party was in full, alcohol-fueled swing.
Then came the clip. The one where Danny Jones—the "good guy" of McFly, the recent King of the Jungle, and a man who has spent a decade talking about how much he loves his wife Georgia—was seen in a very close, very unmistakable embrace with Love Island legend Maura Higgins.
It wasn't just a quick "nice to see you" peck. Onlookers described it as a "drunken kiss" that lasted long enough to make everyone nearby do a double-take. For fans who had just spent weeks watching Danny cry over photos of his son Cooper in the I’m A Celebrity camp, the whiplash was real.
The Jungle Connection Most People Missed
To understand how we even got to that moment at the BRITS, you have to look back at the 2024 series of I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!. That's where this whole thing started.
Danny and Maura weren't just campmates; they were part of a group that seemed genuinely tight. While Danny was busy winning the crown, Maura was providing the high-octane personality that made that season a hit. They spent weeks in the trenches—or rather, the trenches of the Australian outback—sharing secrets, hunger pains, and boredom.
The bond formed in the jungle is notoriously intense. You’re away from your family, stripped of your phone, and the only people who "get it" are the ones sitting around the fire with you.
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When the cast returned to the UK, they didn't just drift apart. There was a WhatsApp group. There were dinner plans. But while most of the cast kept things breezy and public, the vibes between Danny and Maura started to shift toward something more... complicated.
Why the BRITS Kiss Was a PR Disaster
Most celebrities can survive a bit of a party-night slip-up. But Danny Jones had built a brand on being the ultimate family man.
- The Timing: He had literally just been crowned the winner of I'm A Celeb, a victory largely fueled by his "wholesome dad" image.
- The Marriage: He and Georgia Horsley had been married since 2014. Eleven years. In the world of pop stars, that’s a lifetime.
- The Footage: In 2026, you can't hide anything. There wasn't just one video; a second clip later emerged of them at the Nobu Hotel in Marylebone, reportedly sharing wine until 6 am.
The public reaction was brutal. While Maura is single and has a reputation for being a "bombshell," Danny was the one with everything to lose. Fans felt a weird sense of personal betrayal. Social media was flooded with vomiting emojis and comments calling out the "disrespect" toward Georgia.
The Aftermath: Silence, Statements, and Coffee Dates
After the videos went viral, the silence was deafening. Georgia went dark on Instagram. Danny vanished. For nearly two weeks, the only news was coming from "insiders" who claimed Georgia was "at breaking point" and Danny was terrified his career was over.
Eventually, the apology came. It wasn't a glossy magazine interview. It was a simple, black-and-white Instagram story. Danny admitted he had put his family in a "horrible situation" and apologized to Georgia and his son.
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"I want to deeply apologise to my wife and family for putting them in this situation. I love them so much and we'll continue to deal with this privately."
Maura, on the other hand, stayed mostly quiet. She didn't apologize. She didn't explain. She headed to LA for a photoshoot, leaving the chaos behind in London. It was a classic Maura move—unbothered, or at least appearing to be.
Where Do They Stand in 2026?
So, did the marriage survive? Surprisingly, yes.
By the time 2026 rolled around, Danny and Georgia were spotted together more frequently. They’ve clearly put in the work behind the scenes. In early 2026, Danny even posted a heartfelt birthday tribute to Georgia, calling her his "mushy" and making it clear they were moving forward.
As for Maura and Danny? The friendship seems to have cooled significantly, at least in the public eye. They had a somewhat awkward reunion at the National Television Awards (NTAs) when the I'm A Celeb cast took to the stage to accept an award. They stood on opposite sides of the group. No eye contact. No "jungle bestie" vibes.
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Lessons From the Scandal
If there’s one thing this whole Danny Jones and Maura Higgins situation taught us, it’s that the "reality TV bubble" is dangerous. People come out of those shows feeling invincible, fueled by a new wave of fame and adrenaline.
For Danny, it was a massive reality check. He almost lost a decade of marriage for a "drunken moment" at an after-party. For Maura, it was another reminder that being the "other woman" in the eyes of the public—fairly or not—comes with a level of trolling that can be soul-destroying.
What you should take away from this:
- Public Image is Fragile: You can spend 20 years building a "good guy" reputation and lose it in 20 seconds of blurry footage.
- The "Jungle Bond" is Real but Risky: Intense shared experiences can blur the lines of friendship, especially when you throw a few drinks and a high-profile party into the mix.
- Private Healing Works: Unlike many celebrity couples who go on a "redemption tour" of talk shows, Danny and Georgia chose to go quiet. That choice likely saved their marriage.
If you’re following this because you’re a McFly fan or a Love Island devotee, the best thing to do is look at the 2026 updates. Danny is back with the band, Georgia is back to her projects, and Maura is still the queen of the red carpet. The drama has settled, but the lesson remains: the cameras are always rolling, even at 3 am in a hotel foyer.
Check out Danny's recent tour dates if you want to see him back in his element—focusing on the music rather than the headlines.
Next steps for fans:
- Follow the music, not just the gossip: Danny has been leaning heavily into McFly’s latest projects to rebuild his professional standing.
- Look for Georgia’s podcast updates: She’s often shared subtle insights into how she handles public scrutiny and maintains her own identity outside of the "wife" label.
- Watch for Maura’s next move: She’s rumored to be heading back to reality TV, but this time in a hosting capacity where she has more control over the narrative.