Maura Higgins embroiled in TV ‘bidding war’ as popularity soars despite Danny Jones ‘kiss’ uproar
Maura Higgins has become the subject of a TV network bidding war following her controversial “drunken kiss” with married McFly star Danny Jones at the BRIT Awards.
The Love Island star has sparked interest from major broadcasters despite the backlash over the incident with the I’m A Celebrity contestant.
ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC are all reportedly 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.
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.
“From a TV perspective this just makes Maura more talked about and more in demand.”
The source added: “ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC have all been talking about how she might fit fronting a show for them.”
ITV reportedly wanted to give Higgins and her ex Pete Wicks a show before their split.
The “drunken kiss” reportedly took place at a BRIT Awards afterparty, with the pair later heading in separate taxis to a Sony party at Nobu Hotel in Marylebone.
There, they allegedly “knocked back wine until 6am”.
The incident has reportedly been a “slap in the face” for Jones’s wife of over 10 years, Georgia Horsley.
She has apparently held crisis talks about her future with the McFly rocker.
The pair met after both appearing on last year’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.
Higgins’ career has skyrocketed since appearing on Love Island in 2019 alongside Curtis Pritchard, Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury.
In 2023, she was announced as the social ambassador for Love Island USA.
She even guest-hosted on the show’s fifth series and later hosted Love Island US’s Aftersun.
The Irish star is also set to appear in “The Spin”, a music-themed Irish comedy which recently premiered at the Belfast Film Festival.
She features alongside The Pussycat Dolls’ Kimberly Wyatt and Derry Girls stars.
Another TV insider suggested Higgins may be meeting with producers during her LA trip.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Maura was flying over to LA to meet with producers,” they said.
The source described her as “the whole package”, adding: “She looks amazing and can act. She is going to go far.”
Her arrival in Los Angeles coincides with pilot season, when stars typically fly into the city to audition for new TV shows.