Anyone who says they weren't completely GAGGED by the most recent episode of Love Island is a liar.
The first episode introduced us to the class of Love Island 2024 as well as a surprise bombshell in the form of JOEY ESSEX.
As in THE JOEY ESSEX.
As in the TOWIE icon who wears shoes two sizes too small, made the word 'reem' a thing, and took Sam Faiers on a date to 'the dump.'
As we all come to terms with the fact that the Joey is back on our TV screens on yet another reality show (he also did Celebs Go Dating, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, The Jump and Celebrity Ex on the Beach), let's take a look at his rather tumultuous love life.
Joey Essex and Sam Faiers (2011 - 2014)
Joey and Sam were the dream fairytale TOWIE romance and we got to see their romance play out on screens, from Joey's taking Sam on a date to a dump to him getting down on one knee and asking her to marry him during a dinner in Dubai in 2013.
The pair were not without their ups and downs, though, and split just four months later. They briefly rekindled in 2014 away from the cameras, but it just wasn't meant to be.
In 2019, Joey revealed that he no longer speaks to Sam and has no reason to.
Joey Essex and Amy Willerton (2013)
After his messy split with Sam, Joey got close to fellow campmate Amy Wilkerson aka Miss Universe Great Britain, during his time on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! but the romance soon fizzled out after the show finished.
Speaking to the Daily Star Sunday newspaper, she said, "The attention after we left the show was really hard for me. While Joey had a strong management team behind him, I didn't really have anybody in my corner."
Joey Essex and Stephanie Pratt (2016)
Made In Chelsea's Steph met Joey when they both appeared on Celebs Go Dating in 2016 and continued to date for three months before he dumped her for making him "spend too much time in Chelsea".
Joey Essex and Ellie Brown (2018)
Love Island 2018 bombshell Ellie Brown was linked to Joey in October 2018 after she shared a video of them kissing on her Insta stories. However, the romance didn't last long, and Ellie came out of the dreaded sea for Joey on Celebrity Ex On The Beach.
The pair buried the hatchet, with Joey apologising about the way things ended.
Speaking of their relationship, Ellie said, "Our thing wasn't like a bad split so we were never really on awful terms."
Joey Essex and Lorena Medina (2018)
On the same series of Ex On The Beach, Joey fell madly in love with Mexican model and singerLorena and their relationship went from 0 to 100 real quick when filming ended and she moved to England to live with him at his Chigwell home. Lorena labelled Joey “the love of my life”, and they’d discussed marriage and kids before a series of rows caused their romance to hit the rocks.
Lorena revealed they finally called time on their relationship when he was pictured leaving Rita Ora’s flat the morning after a night out.
She told The Sun at the time, “I knew Joey had spent the night out because I had talked to him when he was in the cab on the way back to Essex. He told me, ‘I had a crazy night and I stayed at my friend’s and that was fine. But he didn’t tell me it was a girl and he didn’t mention Rita Ora.
“We were crying, screaming and hanging up the phone so much I got eczema all over my body. After that Joey and I decided it was best if we didn’t talk any more. We said goodbye and agreed we were hurting each other too much and that it was time to end it and I haven’t spoken to him since.”
Joey Essex and Rita Ora (2018)
Joey was linked to Rita during his relationship with Lorena, but he insisted that nothing went down and they were "just friends" enjoying a night out.
Joey told The Sun, “We have known each other for years.
“She’s a nice girl, but we’re just friends.”
Joey Essex and Brenda Santos (2020)
After staying single for a couple of years, Joey and Brazilian model Brenda started dating at the peak of lockdown and it was another whirlwind romance that only lasted five months, but Brenda did spill that they did have sex at least once a day.
In October 2020, it was reported that Brenda had left Joey's mansion in Essex and moved to her own place in London.
Joey Essex and Maria Thattil (2022)
Joey found love in the jungle AGAIN in 2022 when he starred on the Austrailian version of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!
Maria, who came out as bisexual on the series, confessed her feelings for Joey after avoiding elimination from the jungle, telling him that she thinks he's "really nice".
Joey Essex and Maura Higgins (2022)
Joey and Love Island legend Maura shocked the world in October 2022 when they were pictured snogging at the Pride of Britain Awards. The pair haven't confirmed if they're officially an item or not, but we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for more developments. They're already our new favourite reality TV power couple.
Joey Essex and Vanessa Bauer (2022)
During his Dancing on Ice stint, Joey was linked to his professional skating partner Vanessa Bauer. The couple dated towards the end of 2022 and into 2023, but split around Spring of 2023.
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Emily Vierke is a digital writer who has dabbled in the world of celeb, beauty and fashion. She enjoys stalking the Love Island girlies for outfit inspo nearly as much as she enjoys watching Jay Younger’s work out vids.