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Joey Essex – Age, Net Worth, Relationships & Real Name

James Freddie Davies • 2026-08-18 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

Joey Essex is a familiar face on British reality television, known for his catchphrase “reem” and appearances on shows like The Only Way Is Essex, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, and Love Island. Despite his Essex-branded persona, he was actually born in London. Here is a thorough look at his age, relationships, career, and the facts behind the headlines.

With a career that spans more than a decade, Joey Essex has remained a fixture in the public eye. From his early days on TOWIE to his controversial stint on Love Island, his personal life and professional moves continue to generate widespread curiosity. Olivia Bowen – Biography, Love Island Career and Life Today offers another perspective on reality stardom.

Who is Joey Essex?

Full Name
Joey Don Essex
Age (as of early 2025)
34 (born 29 July 1990)
Estimated Net Worth
£1.5–2.5 million (speculative)
Relationship Status
Dating Grace (as of early 2025)

Quick Insights

  • Joey Essex rose to fame on TOWIE in 2011 and later became a Love Island star, but his personal life continues to draw public curiosity.
  • Despite public perception, Joey Essex is not actually from the county of Essex; he was born in Southwark, London.
  • Net worth estimates vary widely; his primary income comes from TV appearances, endorsements, and public appearances.
  • Joey’s relationship history includes rumored links with Rita Ora and Maura Higgins, and two engagements to Sam Faiers, a fellow TOWIE cast member.
  • His mother died when he was ten, and he was raised by his father Donny, who passed away in 2019.
  • He is known for his catchphrase “reem,” which became a pop culture staple.

Snapshot Facts

Fact Detail
Birth Name Joey Don Essex
Date of Birth 29 July 1990
Place of Birth Southwark, London, England
Height Approx. 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Known For The Only Way is Essex, Love Island, I’m a Celebrity
Years Active 2011–present
Instagram Followers 2 million+

What is Joey Essex net worth?

No official public financial disclosure exists for Joey Essex. Estimates from entertainment websites place his net worth between £1.5 million and £2.5 million, but these figures are speculative and should be treated with caution. His income is believed to come from reality TV contracts, brand endorsements, public appearances, and his social media presence. According to Champions Speakers, he is available for paid speaking engagements, which represent another revenue stream.

How does Joey Essex make money?

Joey’s primary earnings derive from television appearances. He has appeared on multiple reality series, including Splash!, The Jump, Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity Ex on the Beach, and Dancing on Ice. Each show likely involved a participation fee. Additionally, he promotes products on his Instagram account, which has over 2 million followers.

What shows has Joey Essex been on?

His television career began on The Only Way Is Essex (2011–2013). He later became a contestant on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2013, finishing fourth. More recently, he entered the Love Island villa in 2024 as the first celebrity bombshell of the eleventh series, according to a BBC report. He has also appeared on Celebrity Ex on the Beach, Dancing on Ice, and other spin-offs.

Did Joey Essex appear on Love Island?

Yes, he appeared on Love Island in 2024. According to The Movie Database, he was a contestant. BBC coverage describes him as the first celebrity bombshell of the series, entering the villa while describing himself as “extremely single.” He did not win the show.

Key takeaway

Net worth figures for reality stars are rarely confirmed. Joey Essex’s estimated wealth should be regarded as an unofficial range, not a precise number. No authoritative source (e.g., financial disclosure or official biography) provides a verified figure.

Who is Joey Essex dating?

Joey Essex’s romantic life has been a subject of tabloid interest for years. While some relationships are confirmed through public statements, others remain speculative. The BBC notes that he has had two engagements to Sam Faiers, as well as rumored relationships with Rita Ora and Maura Higgins.

Joey Essex and Sam Faiers

Sam Faiers, a fellow TOWIE star, was engaged to Joey Essex twice. The BBC includes this in his relationship history. The couple split after the second engagement.

Joey Essex and Lorena

Tabloid reports have linked Joey Essex to a woman named Lorena, though no official confirmation has been provided. Details remain unclear.

Joey Essex and Jessy

Similarly, rumors emerged in 2024 about a relationship with a woman named Jessy. Again, neither party has publicly confirmed the nature of the connection.

Joey Essex and Grace

As of early 2025, there are persistent tabloid reports that Joey Essex is dating a woman named Grace. A Sun article initially reported this, though no independent verification from Joey or his representatives is available at the time of writing.

Important clarification

Unless Joey Essex or his partner issues a public statement, relationship details remain in the realm of media speculation. The BBC described him as “extremely single” at the time of his Love Island appearance in 2024, which suggests that many reported relationships may have been short-lived or informal.

What happened to Joey Essex’s dad?

Joey Essex’s father, Donny Essex, died in 2019. Joey has spoken about the profound impact of his loss. According to an Australian TV network, Joey’s mother Tina died by suicide when he was ten years old, leaving Donny to raise Joey and his sister Frankie alone. A BBC article about Joey’s boxing debut noted that his father and uncle inspired him to take up the sport.

Joey Essex real name and age

His full birth name is Joey Don Essex, as confirmed by IMDb and Wikipedia. He was born on 29 July 1990 in Southwark, London, making him 34 in early 2025. He grew up in Chigwell, Essex, which explains his strong association with the county.

Timeline of Joey Essex’s life and career

  1. 1990 – Born 29 July in Southwark, London.
  2. 2011 – Joined the cast of The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE).
  3. 2013 – Appeared on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, finishing fourth.
  4. 2019 – Father Donny Essex passed away.
  5. 2023 – Entered the Love Island villa as a contestant.
  6. 2024 – Rumored relationships with Lorena and Jessy.
  7. 2025 – Reportedly dating Grace; continues media appearances.

What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about Joey Essex?

Established information Information that remains unclear
Joey Essex was born in Southwark, London (not Essex). Exact net worth (estimates vary; no public financial disclosure).
His real name is Joey Don Essex. Current relationship status (Grace is likely, but not officially confirmed).
He appeared on TOWIE, Love Island, and I’m a Celebrity. Details of relationships with Lorena and Jessy (mostly tabloid reports).
His father died in 2019; his mother died when he was ten. Whether he will return to reality TV full-time.

What is Joey Essex’s cultural impact?

Joey Essex represents a classic model of reality television celebrity: a persona built on charming naivety combined with savvy self-promotion. His catchphrase “reem” entered the British lexicon, and his appearances on multiple reality shows have kept him in the public eye for over a decade. His move to Love Island in 2024 signaled a career revival and introduced him to a younger audience. Public fascination with his dating life reflects the ongoing appetite for reality star gossip.

Where do the facts about Joey Essex come from?

“I’m not from Essex, I’m from London.” – Joey Essex (paraphrased from various interviews).

Key authoritative sources include Wikipedia, BBC News, IMDb, and the official Instagram account. These provide a mix of encyclopedic biography, real-time updates, and media reports.

What’s next for Joey Essex?

Based on current trends, Joey Essex is likely to continue his reality television career and expand his social media presence. Potential new shows, brand partnerships, or a relationship announcement could occur in 2025. For more on reality TV personalities, see Olivia Bowen – Biography, Love Island Career and Life Today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Joey Essex related to Joey Ramone?

No, Joey Essex is not related to Joey Ramone. The name “Joey” is coincidence.

What is Joey Essex’s IQ?

There is no verified public information about his IQ. He has been portrayed as “ditzy” on TV, but that is a persona.

Did Joey Essex win Love Island?

No, he did not win. He was a contestant in 2024 but did not reach the final.

What happened to Joey Essex’s dad?

His father, Donny Essex, passed away in 2019. Joey has spoken about the loss affecting him deeply.

How tall is Joey Essex?

Approximately 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in).

Where was Joey Essex born?

He was born in Southwark, London, England, and grew up in Chigwell, Essex.

Does Joey Essex have any siblings?

Yes, he has a sister named Frankie.

Is Joey Essex married?

No, he is not married as of early 2025. He has been engaged twice but never married.

What is Joey Essex’s catchphrase?

“Reem,” which he popularized during his time on TOWIE.

How many Instagram followers does Joey Essex have?

Over 2 million followers on Instagram as of 2025.

James Freddie Davies

About the author

James Freddie Davies

Our desk combines breaking updates with clear and practical explainers.