The BRIT Awards have given us some shocking moments over the years, but none have been more surprising than this year’s antics. In a move few saw coming, video emerged of Danny Jones appearing to kiss his I’m A Celebrity… co-star Maura Higgins at a boozy after-party – despite him having been married to wife Georgia for 11 years.
But, while many have been left startled by the news, an insider tells heat that those close to the McFly star, 38, had noticed the ‘spark’ between the reigning King of the Jungle and former Love Island star Maura, 34, since they returned from Australia last December.
‘The connection between Maura and Danny in the jungle was natural, it wasn’t just for the cameras. They got on very well and stayed in touch,’ our source reveals. ‘Maura has always been respectful of Danny’s situation and the fact that he’s married, but she can’t help wondering how things might have played out if circumstances were different.’
The cast of last year’s I’m A Celebrity… have all remained especially close, with Danny and Maura joining former campmates Barry McGuigan, Oti Mabuse and Dean McCullough at Coleen Rooney’s Applied Nutrition launch in January, then reuniting again with Oti and fellow campmate GK Barry on the night of the BRITs. Danny attended the bash with his McFly bandmate Tom Fletcher, while Maura walked the red carpet alone. Our source adds, ‘The chemistry between Danny and Maura in the jungle was there for everyone to see, and it hasn’t just disappeared.’
And while Danny is reportedly holding ‘crisis talks’ with Georgia – with whom he shares seven-year-old son Cooper – Maura is also said to be struggling with how to deal with the fallout, having only recently split from former TOWIE and Strictly star Pete Wicks. Maura and Pete, 36, were believed to have started dating last summer and, although they never confirmed the status of their relationship, Maura spoke highly of Pete during her time in the jungle. However, reports suggested the pair had called time on their romance last month after Maura felt she was ‘unable to trust’ Pete. Our insider says, ‘Maura doesn’t know what to do. She’s officially single at the moment and exploring her options, but she definitely doesn’t want to ruin anyone’s marriage. It was just a silly, flirty kiss.’
Danny and former Miss England Georgia started dating in 2010, and tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Old Malton, Yorkshire, in 2014. During his time in the jungle, Danny told his campmates he was pursuing Georgia for 12 months before he managed to land a date with her, after meeting at an event in 2009. He recalled, ‘It took me a year to get her, because I invited her out for a roast. It was just like clubbing, we couldn't talk. I texted her in the morning and she was like, "Sorry, I can't make it.” Then about 11 months later, she texted me saying, "Do you wanna go out for a drink or get breakfast?" And I was like, "Yes!"’ But, our source reveals, Danny and Georgia have been ‘going through a rough patch’ for some time.
‘The marriage has been on the rocks for a while now, and it’s been a case of both Danny and Georgia waiting to see how things unfold,’ we’re told. ‘From the outside, they’ve tried to keep up appearances, but those who know them well can feel the tension between them. It’s been one thing after another, and while Danny is not the type to just walk away, after this drama, everyone’s wondering how much longer they’ll both keep trying.’
Now, with their issues out in the open, many are wondering if there were signs of trouble between the couple they had missed. Just days before the video came to light, Danny joked about how he had ‘left’ Georgia on the Parenting Hell podcast. Speaking to hosts Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe, Danny revealed that he and Georgia had been moving house while he was in the jungle, Danny said, ‘Do you know what? I left my wife to move. I just left my wife. I left my wife to move house, so I'm surprised she's still with me, to be honest because, she moved the house all by herself.’
Georgia – who co-hosts the Mum’s The Word podcast with The Wanted singer Tom Parker’s widow Kelsey – is said to be feeling ‘humiliated’ by the scandal and pulled out of an appearance at The Baby Show in London days after the BRITs.
As it stands, our source says only time will tell what happens next. We’re told, ‘Danny and Maura are great friends, and they make each other laugh. Right now, he’s still figuring things out.’