inside lauren & Joey’s jail romance
As Lauren Goodger prepares for her new love to leave prison, a close source tells Closer what her relationship with Joey Morrison is really like
She rose to fame on The Only Way Is Essex in 2010 and was notorious for her booze-fuelled showdowns with co-star and ex-fiancé Mark Wright as well as her party lifestyle.
But a source close to Lauren exclusively reveals that the reality star’s life has been transformed and says she’s practically living like a hermit while she waits for her criminal boyfriend Joey Morrison to be released from prison. Joey was jailed in 2009 and is serving part of an 18-year prison sentence for offences including burglary and drug dealing.
Lauren, 30, was snapped last week leaving prison after visiting Joey – just days after a selfie of the pair on a day release date emerged. Closer has already reported on their upcoming plans for a wedding and a baby – and now an insider has lifted the lid on just how this unlikely romance works.
The source reveals: “Lauren is really in love and her life is completely centred around Joey. She says she’s never been in a relationship like this before and she loves getting to know Joey the old-fashioned way – slowly and soberly!
falling in love
“She visits him at least once week and they’ve fallen in love by getting to know each other as friends first. They have a huge amount of respect for each other.
“She’s been seeing him for five months and can’t wait for them to finally be together and have sex. On his day release, they might walk unaccompanied around the prison grounds or to the park. But usually they just sit in the prison canteen and have a cosy lunch. It’s very normal – they hold hands and kiss. Lauren says they talk about the future, about what they want in life and what they’re feeling.
“They speak all the time and she writes love letters to him twice a week. Lauren loves writing letters – she thinks it’s sweet and old-fashioned and it’s not something she would usually do. Joey sends her flowers, too, which he asks his dad to organise on his behalf.
“And instead of going out clubbing in Essex, these days Lauren’s just going to the gym and eating healthily. She’s become a bit of a hermit – she isn’t interested in going out and getting really drunk in nightclubs any more; she is living a quieter life.”
‘controlling’ behaviour
Lauren – who’s been friends with Joey for nine years – was forced to defend her jailbird boyfriend last week when her friend Jodie Wheeler was quoted as saying that Lauren’s new lifestyle was down to Joey “controlling” her.
Lauren then posted a lengthy explanation on Instagram: “My friend @jodiewheelerx has been quoted by newspapers as to saying she thinks Joey is very controlling. That’s not been
‘She writes love letters to Joey – she thinks it’s sweet’
said in a bad way but in the way he wants me to conduct myself with regards to the things I talk about and telling me to stick to the gym/diet etc. Which I actually find encouraging.”
The insider says size 12 Lauren – who lost a whopping 4st and dropped five dress sizes to an 8 in 2015 but has gone back up to a size 10-12 – is now planning to have her 34E breast implants removed for a more natural look. The insider also reveals that Lauren is working harder than ever in the gym so that she can be in the best shape for when Joey is released.
The insider adds: “Lauren says they have a lot of chemistry, and as he’s in great shape she wants to be feeling her best too.
“Lauren’s back in the training mindset and is working out every other day for at least an hour as well as eating lots of protein. Joey is motivating her – he eats really healthily and is in the prison gym all the time. He’s encouraging her to reach her goals. He’s like her mentor.”
Last week, Lauren starred in Channel 5’s In Therapy – where celebrities open up to therapist Mandy Saligari – revealing her troubled upbringing living between her mum’s and her dad’s. Now insiders say Lauren is spending lots of time with Joey’s family and friends, including his sister and mum, who are really supportive of her relationship with Joey.
A source reveals: “Lauren knew Joey’s brother’s girlfriend from years ago and she’s been going for drinks with Joey’s sister. Joey’s mum visited her on her birthday in September, which was lovely. His family are really happy that Lauren’s supporting Joey.”
LOOKING AHEAD
And the close source says Lauren can’t wait for his release and to finally start living their life together.
“She doesn’t know exactly when he’s going to be released, but she thinks it will be this year,” says the source. “She can’t wait. They’ll definitely be moving in together and they’ve been discussing Joey’s job options. He won’t be on the showbiz scene, but he’s got some good career plans. Lauren says he’s very business savvy and has a lot of contacts so she’s sure he’ll make a success of his new life.”