TOWIE legend Joey Essex has entered the Love Island villa as a bombshell. That’s a sentence we never thought we’d be writing, but here we are.
Love Island 2024 has just begun and Joey is the first bombshell to walk through those villa doors, something which left all 12 Islanders – and us – with our jaws on the floor.
According to Joey, this is the “perfect moment” from him to enter the Love Island villa as he’s looking to settle down with The One. It’s fair to say that he’s had a chequered history when it comes to dating after being engaged to Sam Faiers and linked with everyone from Maura Higgins to Rita Ora.
When Closer spoke to Joey on the red carpet at the Pride of Britain awards last year, the Essex star said of his love life, “It’s one of those things where I just say, ‘No comment!’. But it’s good – it’s always good!”
Let’s take a look back at his former flames, shall we?
Joey Essex's girlfriends - who has the TOWIE star dated?
Sam Faiers
It's safe to say that Joey and Sam had a turbulent relationship during their time on and off TOWIE. They met on the show back in 2010 and started dating but split a year later. They then reunited and got engaged in 2012 but after another year together they split.
Amber Turner
Before she even appeared on TOWIE, Amber was papped leaving a nightclub holding Joey's hand in 2012. This was during Joey and Sam's on/off relationship when they were very much off, and years before Amber started dating Joey's pal Dan Edgar .
Amy Willerton
They met on I'm A Celeb back in 2014 and Amy even taught Joey how to tell the time in the jungle. After growing close on the show, it appeared that they were smitten with each other but it wasn't long before 'showmance' speculation began to do the rounds and a year later, Amy claimed that Joey did want to have a fake relationship.
Stephanie Pratt
After meeting on Celebs Go Dating in 2016, Joey and Stephanie Pratt did what most of the stars do - date their fellow celebrity co-stars instead of the regular people they're paired up with. Things seemed promising but it quickly became clear that they wasn't going to last after they split one month later. Fast forward a few months and Joey was back on Celebs Go Dating.
Ellie Brown
Back in October 2018, Ellie was pictured snogging Joey Essex following her split with Charlie Brake. Fast forward a month and Joey and Ellie apparently confirmed their romance with a kiss on Instagram. Their relationship fizzled out a few months later but they came face to face on Celebrity Ex On The Beach back in 2020.
Lorena Medina
Joey and Lorena met on Celebrity Ex On The Beach in 2020 and started dating. Shortly after the show wrapped, things moved quickly for the pair with Lorena moving into Joey's Essex home. They appeared to be totally loved up until Joey was pictured leaving Rita Ora's home following a night out and Lorena dumped him.
Rita Ora
Joey was papped leaving singer Rita Ora's London home the morning after a night out with their mutual pal Vas J Morgan, sparking rumours they were romantically involved. Joey later broke his silence and while he admitted Rita was a "sort", he insisted they were just friends.
Brenda Santos
Joey went on to date Brazilian model Brenda Santos, but their whirlwind romance only lasted five months. Brenda later revealed they had sex at least once every day and said that Joey loved her 'bum bum'.
Maura Higgins
Joey and Maura were pictured kissing at the Pride of Britain awards after party in 2022. It seems it didn't go any further than a cheeky snog though, as Maura later denied they'd been on a string of secret dates. When asked about their kiss by heat magazine a few months later, Joey said, "I don’t know – I can’t even remember. I mean all I remember is her tongue being down my throat to be honest."
Vanessa Bauer
Joey and Vanessa sparked romance rumours when they skated together on Dancing on Ice in 2023. Vanessa denied they were anything more than friends, but the rumours persisted until Joey confirmed he was single a few months later.