Pete Wicks is understood to be relieved his relationship with Maura Higgins didn’t last long when they were romantically linked last year, following the scandal surrounding the Love Island star’s “kiss” with married Danny Jones.
The moment came at the Brit Awards afterparty earlier this month, with the two having formed a friendship after taking part in last year’s series of the ITV reality show I’m A Celebrity, which Jones went on to win.
One onlooker recalled to The Sun: “Danny and Maura seemed to be having a great time. They looked like they had a brief drunken kiss.”
“Danny and Maura seem to have a close friendship after meeting in the jungle. They were talking and laughing for ages,” they continued.
Pete Wicks was linked with Maura Higgins late last year
BBC
The incident followed a brief relationship between Higgins, 34, and former The Only Way is Essex (Towie) star Wicks, 37.
The pair were romantically linked late last year while Wicks was taking part in BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and Higgins featured in ITV reality show I’m a Celebrity.
However, despite a period of speculation about the two, it seems they called time on their relationship in February.
Just weeks later, footage emerged seemingly showing Higgins “kissing” McFly star Jones, 38.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- Maura Higgins embroiled in TV ‘bidding war’ as popularity soars despite Danny Jones ‘kiss’ uproar
- Danny Jones brutally slammed by Katherine Ryan as she issues savage jibe amid Maura Higgins ‘kiss’ silence
- Danny Jones faces swarm of angry fans after married singer ‘kissed’ Maura Higgins at Brits party: ‘Why?’
Maura Higgins and Danny Jones reportedly ‘kissed’ at a Brits afterparty event last weekend
PA
Sources have now claimed Wicks wanted to avoid the kind of attention the recent controversy has sparked.
“This sort of attention is exactly what Pete doesn’t want,” an insider told OK! Magazine.
They continued: “He’s seen this sort of media circus happen when he was on Towie and it’s not the sort of relationship he wants.
“It’s a shame because it will probably bring his guard back up and he just wants to find someone he can genuinely love.”
GB News has contacted Wicks’ representative for a comment on the reports.
It was reported last week that Jones and Higgens shared a “drunken kiss” at a BRIT Awards afterparty, with the pair later heading in separate taxis to a Sony party at Nobu Hotel in Marylebone.
The two have faced huge backlash online after their alleged close display, with married McFly star Jones accused of cheating on his wife Georgia Horsley, whom he has been married to since 2014.
While none of the involved parties have shared any public statements about the apparent scandal, the controversy has been discussed extensively on social media.
It has since been reported that TV bosses are eyeing up Higgins to front new shows following the incident.
ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC are all understood to be keen to have Higgins front shows for them as her profile continues to rise.
Amid the scandal, Higgins has fled to Los Angeles, touching down in the US city after leaving the UK.
The star was spotted exiting the airport looking serious, pushing a trolley loaded with Louis Vuitton luggage.
Danny Jones arrived at the Brits alongside Tom Fletcher but was spotted getting ‘close’ with Higgins at the event
PA
On Monday, Higgins took to Instagram to share a snap from her first-class plane seat, captioning it: “Exciting shoot”.
A glass of champagne was visible nearby as she made her escape from the drama surrounding her and Jones.
A TV insider has insisted the controversy “hasn’t damaged Maura’s reputation – it’s only enhanced it”.
“Maura is very likeable and was a hit with viewers on I’m A Celeb,” they told the Express.