EXCLUSIVE: A PR expert has shared their professional opinion on the Danny Jones and Maura Higgins drama after the pair were caught on camera sharing a ‘drunken kiss’
As McFly’s Danny Jones plots his next move after the Maura Higgins ‘kiss’ drama – a PR expert has issued a stark warning.
Daily Star has spoken to Edward Coram-James, CEO, Go Up, about Danny’s next steps and what he should be doing to protect his image and sparkling career.
This comes after the McFly star was caught sharing a ‘drunken kiss’ at a BRITs after party with Love Island alum Maura, despite being married to his wife of 11 years Georgia.
When asked what Danny should do next, the expert responded: “A statement acknowledging the reports can help control the narrative. He could take things further, with possibly an interview or video where he speaks directly to the camera, and avoid a ‘Notes App’ apology cliche. At this stage, detailed confirmation or denial is unnecessary, while silence would be detrimental.
“As for what he should say? Ignoring the emotional aspect of the situation could be a major misstep. People want to know that he’s aware of the impact his actions have on his family, his wife, and those around him. If he skips over this and only talks about how the media is blowing things out of proportion, it’ll seem tone-deaf.
“Another huge mistake would be deflecting blame onto others — whether it’s blaming one of the three M’s involved — the media, Maura, or the state of his marriage. Taking the blame off himself and projecting it onto other people will come across as evasive. He needs to show ownership of his actions. If he tries to spin it, it will backfire.”
But how does the expert rate the ‘kissing’ chaos? Edward explained: “When it comes to crisis communications, how we respond to scandals depends on how serious the allegations are. We usually rate potential situations on a scale from 1 to 10.
“A score of 1-4 means minor scandals — these are things that can be dealt with quickly and with minimal response. A score of 5-7 represents moderate scandals — these are still serious but not game-changing. Finally, a score of 8-10 is for major scandals — these are the big ones, where the allegations are not only likely true but could seriously damage someone’s reputation or career long-term. In these cases, the response needs to be immediate and transparent.
“Now, what we need to keep in mind is that Danny’s image is built on being a squeaky clean, family-oriented public figure. Any deviation from that — even if it’s just a rumour or a fleeting moment — can have bigger consequences for him, and even his bandmates.
“Given that, this scandal is already more than a 1-4 type of crisis. The kiss itself may not be enough to ruin his career, but the emotional impact on his wife and family could turn it into a much larger story, especially if it drags on. Right now, I’d rate this situation around a 5-6 — serious, but not a full-blown crisis.”
“This is still a serious issue, involving potential betrayal, which is always sensitive in public relationships. However, lacking definitive proof of a full-blown affair, Danny has an opportunity to manage the situation. A 5-6 level crisis necessitates a prompt, yet cautious response.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
