Danny Jones and Maura Higgins: Kiss Scandal Explained

When a video surfaced showing McFly singer Danny Jones, 38, sharing what appeared to be a kiss with Love Island star Maura Higgins, 34, at the 2025 BRIT Awards afterparty, social media erupted. The footage, published by The Sun, sparked immediate backlash against the married Jones—but his public apology and rapid family reconciliation have kept the story spinning. Here’s the full timeline and what we know for certain.

Kiss Incident: BRITs afterparty, March 2025 · Danny’s Response: Public apology to wife Georgia · Maura’s Status: Reportedly struggling post-kiss · Reunion Event: On stage, September 2025 · Video Source: Published by The Sun

Five key details anchor this story’s timeline and stakes.

What happened between Danny Jones and Maura Higgins?

Danny Jones and Maura Higgins were photographed sharing what looked like a kiss at the Universal Music afterparty following the 2025 BRIT Awards in London. An onlooker told The Tab that the pair spent roughly 90 minutes together, laughing and chatting before the moment occurred around 3 AM (The Tab insider account). They had met previously on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2024, where Jones also won the series.

The BRITs afterparty kiss

Footage of the incident was sent to The Sun by an onlooker and published shortly after the awards. GB News reported that Jones spent significant time with Higgins, putting his arm around her shoulder during conversations (GB News report). Dancing with Oti Mabuse and other celebrities continued late into the night before the moment that would dominate tabloid headlines.

Video emergence and public reaction

The video spread quickly across social media, drawing immediate criticism directed at Jones. The backlash centered on his marriage to Georgia Horsley, whom he wed in August 2014. Metro UK and Daily Mirror both covered the wave of negative reactions from fans (Metro UK coverage).

Are Danny Jones and Maura Higgins together?

There is no confirmed romantic relationship between Danny Jones and Maura Higgins. What exists is video evidence of a single kiss, Jones’s apology acknowledging a mistake, and continued public silence from Higgins on the matter. GB News noted that all three parties—Jones, Higgins, and Jones’s wife—still followed each other on Instagram after the incident, leading some fans to speculate no lasting hostility exists.

Rumors and denials

Neither Jones nor Higgins has characterized the kiss as anything beyond a drunken moment. Media coverage described it as a brief, intoxicated interaction rather than evidence of an ongoing affair (Tuko.co.ke report). The pair reunited on stage in September 2025 at a public event, suggesting some form of resumed public interaction.

Current relationship statuses

Danny Jones and Georgia Horsley remain married following what sources described as crisis talks aimed at drawing a line under the scandal (The Sun on YouTube). Maura Higgins has been single and stepped away from dating for over a year as of 2025, according to reports.

What is Danny Jones’ statement about Maura Higgins?

Danny Jones addressed the incident directly on Instagram on March 14, 2025. His statement read: “Sorry it’s taken me a while to post this, but I’ve taken some time out to be with those closest to me. 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.” (Tuko.co.ke report)

Apology to wife

Jones’s apology centered on his wife and family rather than explaining the interaction with Higgins. OK! Magazine reported that the couple held crisis talks and emerged unified, with plans to move past the controversy together.

Public response

The apology received mixed reactions. Some fans appreciated the direct accountability; others felt the statement lacked specifics about what actually happened. The Sun coverage emphasized Jones’s immediate retreat from public life before issuing the statement (The Sun on YouTube).

Is Maura Higgins in a relationship now?

Maura Higgins has not entered a confirmed relationship as of early 2025. She has reportedly been stepping back from dating for over a year. Following the kiss scandal, sources told The Sun that Higgins was “in a bad way” and struggling with the fallout.

Recent splits and rumors

Higgins’s dating history includes rumors involving Chris Taylor (whom she met on Love Island) and earlier associations with Rob and Lisa Rinna. She has not confirmed any of these connections publicly. Her continued silence on the Jones incident contrasts sharply with Jones’s proactive apology.

Post-kiss fallout

Shortly after Jones issued his apology, Higgins posted a fashion shoot from California, prompting speculation about whether she was deliberately deflecting attention or simply continuing her scheduled work commitments. Daily Mail coverage noted she maintained a lower public profile through the immediate aftermath.

What Is Maura Higgins’ Relationship History?

Maura Higgins rose to fame as a Love Island contestant and has maintained a high profile in British celebrity circles. Her reported relationship history includes connections to various public figures, none of which she has publicly confirmed in detail. The Jones incident marked one of the few times her personal life dominated headlines outside her own dating show appearances.

Past partners like Chris Taylor

During her time on Love Island, Higgins connected with Chris Taylor, though neither confirmed a lasting relationship post-show. Reports since then have suggested various rumored connections, none verified through official statements from Higgins.

Other rumored associations

Earlier rumored associations include Rob and Lisa Rinna, though evidence for these connections remains circumstantial and largely tabloid-sourced. Higgins’s public statements consistently focus on her career rather than romantic history.

Timeline

The sequence of events helps separate verified facts from speculation.

Confirmed vs. Unconfirmed

What people said

“Sorry it’s taken me a while to post this, but I’ve taken some time out to be with those closest to me. 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.”

— Danny Jones, McFly singer, Instagram post, March 14, 2025

“Danny and Maura seemed to be having a great time. They looked like they had a brief drunken kiss.”

— Onlooker quoted by GB News, eyewitness account

Summary

The Danny Jones-Maura Higgins incident boils down to a single drunken moment captured on video, a swift public apology from a married man, and ongoing silence from the other party. What began as tabloid fodder became a case study in how quickly celebrity scandals escalate—and how fast public forgiveness can follow a credible apology.

For Jones, the immediate crisis has passed; for readers tracking the fallout, the September reunion suggests the chapter may not be fully closed.

Related reading: I’m A Celeb 2025 · Love Island 2025

Following the BRITs afterparty controversy, McFly’s Danny Jones has since been crowned King of the Jungle on I’m a Celebrity 2024.

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