Pete Wicks has been spotted out in North London for the first time since his ex, Maura Higgins, was involved in a public scandal with McFly’s Danny Jones. 

Pete, 36, was seen smoking a cigarette in the area, showing that he’s keeping to himself amid the ongoing drama surrounding his former girlfriend,

Maura, 34, and her kiss with Danny at a BRIT Awards afterparty on March 1.

Maura, who rose to fame on Love Island in 2019, announced she was leaving the UK following the fallout from the kiss with Danny.

The kiss, which took place in full view of the public and media, has sparked a flurry of attention,

especially with Danny being married to Georgia Horsley and having a young son, Cooper.

The situation has reportedly caused Danny to enter “crisis talks” with his wife as they try to navigate the impact of the kiss on their relationship.

The timing of the scandal is notable, as it comes just after Pete’s breakup with Maura. The couple had been dating since the summer of 2024, but their relationship ended abruptly in February 2025. Reports suggest that the breakup was triggered by Maura discovering that Pete had been talking to multiple women online, a claim that Pete’s friends have denied. These tensions, coupled with a series of arguments and the time they spent apart due to Maura’s commitments on I’m A Celebrity… and Pete’s Strictly Come Dancing training, led to the couple’s split.

Pete’s reaction to the situation has been a mix of frustration and relief. Sources close to him have stated that he is pleased to no longer be involved in the drama. “This sort of attention is exactly what Pete doesn’t want,” a friend of Pete revealed. “He’s seen this kind of media circus when he was on TOWIE, and it’s just not the sort of relationship he’s looking for.” The source also mentioned that Pete is now focused on finding a relationship built on genuine love, away from the tabloid headlines.

As for the kiss between Maura and Danny, neither star has yet to comment on the incident publicly. However, the kiss, captured on camera at the BRITs afterparty, has fueled speculation about Maura’s relationship with Danny and his marriage to Georgia. Friends of the couple suggest that Danny and Georgia are working through their issues behind closed doors.

Following the breakup, Pete has also been candid about his feelings in public forums. On a recent podcast appearance with his pal Sam Thompson, Pete took a swipe at Love Island, the reality show that helped Maura rise to fame. When asked what he would “banish” from the world, Pete responded with, “Love Island.” Sam, laughing at the remark, noted how aggressive it sounded, to which Pete explained, “It takes over everything, that’s all anyone talks about for three months of the year. It’s very difficult to have small talk when that’s everyone’s reference point.”

While Pete’s comment was likely directed at the impact Love Island had on his relationship with Maura, it also revealed some of his frustrations with the celebrity culture that often comes with reality  TV fame. Despite his sharp comments, Pete is reportedly looking forward to finding a relationship that is free from such media scrutiny and public attention.

Meanwhile, Maura’s sudden departure from the UK only adds to the drama surrounding her recent public display of affection with Danny. As she seeks some time away from the spotlight, Pete continues to move on, seemingly unburdened by the past and focused on what lies ahead. The couple’s relationship, while brief, was filled with its own set of challenges, and now both Maura and Pete appear to be navigating their own separate paths.