Joey Essex is a name that has become synonymous with British reality television. From his breakout role on The Only Way Is Essex to his headline-making stint on Love Island, he has remained a fixture in the public eye for over a decade. Behind the catchphrases and the camera-ready persona, there is a personal story that prompts many questions about his background, his relationships, and his financial standing.
Born in Southwark, London, and raised in Chigwell, Essex, Joey Don Essex entered the reality TV scene in 2011 and quickly became one of the most recognisable faces in the genre. His career has included appearances on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, Dancing on Ice, and Celebs Go Dating, culminating in his 2024 appearance on Love Island as the show’s first celebrity bombshell. Despite this long public career, aspects of his personal life remain largely private, fueling ongoing curiosity.
Biographical milestones, career history, and relationship timelines are compiled from publicly available sources, including Wikipedia, IMDb, and media reports.
Who Is Joey Essex? – Background and Biography
Joey Essex came to fame on The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) and is now one of the most recognisable figures in British reality television. Here is a quick overview of the essential facts.
Key Insights
- Joey Essex came to fame on TOWIE and became one of the most recognizable reality TV faces in the UK.
- His appearance on Love Island 2024 reignited public interest and led to new rumors about his relationship status.
- Despite many questions, Joey Essex has not confirmed a wife or publicly named a current partner.
- His father’s identity is a topic of curiosity, as Joey rarely discusses him publicly.
- He is 36 years old in 2026, having been born on 29 July 1990.
- His mother, Tina, died by suicide when he was 10; he and his sister Frankie were raised by their father, Donny.
Snapshot Facts
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joey Don Essex |
| Date of Birth | 29 July 1990 |
| Place of Birth | Southwark, Greater London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Television personality |
| Years Active | 2011–present |
| Notable Shows | The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE), I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, Love Island (2024) |
| Instagram Followers | 2M (as of 2025) |
| Net Worth (estimate) | Not publicly confirmed; speculated in the range of £1–3 million |
What Is Joey Essex’s Net Worth and Career Highlights?
Joey Essex’s career has spanned multiple reality shows, each adding to his public profile. His financial worth, however, is not officially documented, and estimates vary widely.
What Is Joey Essex’s Net Worth?
No reliable, sourced estimate of Joey Essex’s net worth exists. Entertainment gossip sites sometimes place his wealth in the range of £1–3 million, but these figures are not confirmed by any official financial disclosure. The BBC, Wikipedia, IMDb, and other authoritative sources do not provide a net worth figure. Until a verified statement is made, any number remains speculative.
Neither Joey Essex nor his representatives have publicly disclosed his earnings or assets. The absence of a confirmed net worth is common among reality TV personalities who do not release financial statements.
Did Joey Essex Appear on Love Island?
Yes. Joey Essex entered the Love Island villa in June 2024 as the show’s first ever celebrity bombshell. According to the BBC, he described himself as “extremely single” at the time. His participation was notable because he had already appeared on several dating-focused reality shows before joining the villa. He did not win the series.
What Shows Has Joey Essex Been On?
Beyond TOWIE and Love Island, Joey Essex has appeared on a long list of reality and competition programmes. These include Splash! (2013), I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! (2013), The Jump (2015), Celebs Go Dating (2016–2019, 2021), Celebrity Ex on the Beach (2020), and Dancing on Ice (2023). The BBC has noted that he is known for his catchphrase “reem” and for a reputation for limited general knowledge.
What Is Joey Essex Doing in 2026?
As of 2025, Joey Essex has not publicly announced any specific projects for 2026. He remains active on social media, with over 2 million Instagram followers, and continues to be a sought-after personality for reality TV specials and brand endorsements. No official statements about his 2026 plans have been made.
Who Has Joey Essex Dated? – Relationship History
Joey Essex’s romantic life has been a subject of tabloid coverage for years. His most documented relationship is with fellow TOWIE cast member Sam Faiers, to whom he was engaged. The engagement ended, and they later split.
Who Is Joey Essex’s Wife?
Joey Essex is not married. No public records or credible reports indicate that he has a wife. The search term “Joey Essex wife” likely stems from tabloid speculation rather than confirmed news.
Who Are Joey Essex and Lorena?
Lorena Medina is one of the reported ex-partners of Joey Essex. Media outlets have linked them romantically, but no official confirmation from either party has been found.
Who Are Joey Essex and Jessy?
The name “Jessy” appears in some gossip reports as a rumoured partner of Joey Essex. No verified details or credible sources support this link, and it remains speculative.
Who Are Joey Essex and Grace?
Grace Jackson is a former partner of Joey Essex. According to Wikipedia, they were previously linked before their romance ended, and they reunited on Love Island in 2024. The BBC also noted rumored links to Rita Ora and Maura Higgins, but these are not confirmed.
Despite multiple media reports, Joey Essex has not publicly confirmed any current romantic partner. His engagement to Sam Faiers is the only officially acknowledged relationship.
What Is the Timeline of Joey Essex’s Career?
- 1990 – Born in Southwark, London
- 2011 – Joined cast of The Only Way Is Essex (Series 5)
- 2013 – Appeared on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! (13th series)
- 2014–2015 – Continued on TOWIE, left the show in 2015
- 2024 – Enters Love Island (Season 11) as a contestant
- 2025 – Remains active on social media; no confirmed 2026 projects announced
Is Joey Essex Married? – What We Know and What Remains Unclear
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Joey Essex is a television personality from the UK. | Joey Essex’s exact net worth is not publicly documented. |
| He was born on 29 July 1990 in Southwark. | His marital status and whether he has a wife is unconfirmed. |
| He is known for TOWIE, I’m a Celebrity, and Love Island. | His father’s identity has not been publicly verified. |
| He has 2M Instagram followers as of 2025. | His relationship with Lorena, Jessy, and Grace are only speculative based on media reports. |
| His mother, Tina, died by suicide when he was 10. | Specific plans for 2026 have not been officially announced. |
What Is Joey Essex’s Impact on British Reality Television?
Joey Essex remains a polarising but enduring figure in British reality TV. His transition from TOWIE to Love Island has kept him in the public eye, but many personal details remain private. The public’s curiosity about his wealth and relationships drives ongoing search interest. Reality TV fame often leads to inflated net worth speculation, and Joey’s reluctance to discuss his father aligns with his general privacy about family. His 2024 Love Island appearance was criticised by some as a ‘plant’ but boosted his profile.
What Do Official Sources Say About Joey Essex?
“Joey Don Essex (born 29 July 1990) is an English television personality. He came to prominence for his appearances on the ITV reality series The Only Way Is Essex.”
— Wikipedia
“Joey Essex was born on 29 July 1990 in Southwark, Greater London, England, UK.”
— IMDb
“Reality television legend, and self-confessed reem star, Joey Essex is the cheeky chap viewers are drawn too.”
— Champions Speakers
What Might Joey Essex Do Next?
Based on his public profile, Joey Essex may continue to leverage his reality TV fame through endorsements, potential new TV appearances, or a future return to social media. Fans are watching for any announcement about 2026 projects or a confirmed relationship. No official statements have been made at this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Joey Essex’s full name?
Joey Don Essex.
How tall is Joey Essex?
Height is not officially documented but commonly cited as around 5’8″ (173 cm).
Is Joey Essex still on TOWIE?
He left the show in 2015 and has not returned as a regular cast member.
What is Joey Essex doing now?
As of 2025, he remains active on social media and occasionally appears on reality TV specials.
Did Joey Essex win Love Island?
No, he was a contestant in 2024 but did not win.
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Charlotte Foster is Business & Economy Correspondent at BritainNow.uk, covering markets, the UK economy and corporate affairs.