‘Kendall Jenner is a sort’
Joey Essex fills us in on the ups and downs of his love life
After springing to fame on TOWIE, Joey Essex has gone onto tick off reality show after reality show, from The Jump to Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. But there’s one that he just can’t get enough of – Celebs Go Dating.
This series, he’s back for a third time and hopes it’s finally his chance to find lasting love after failed romances with the likes of Sam Faiers, Steph Pratt and his most recent ex, Brazilian model Brenda Santos.
We caught up with the 30-yearold to find out what he’s looking for in a future partner, how he’s not a game player and why this is the longest he’s ever been single...
Are you hoping it’s third time lucky on
Celebs Go Dating?
It’s going to be third time lucky, yeah. Let’s all hope that anyway because I don’t want to be back for a fourth time!
You’re single after splitting from girlfriend Brenda in October…
Again, it’s one of those things, despite what the papers say, I was talking to that girl for about six weeks and they said that’s half a year! I’m normally talking to girls anyway. Like I’m always talking to girls, whether it’s for a month, or two months, or a week, but I haven’t spoken to a girl for six months. So coming into this agency now is the longest time I’ve never, ever spoken to a girl.
Is it hard to date in the public eye?
Definitely. If you’re not in the public eye yourself then it can be a bit intimidating. When that person does get put in the papers, it causes a bit of stress on the relationship because it’s something new. Everyone reacts differently to it.
Are you looking for a serious relationship?
In a dream world, I would obviously want to find a proper girlfriend, a really nice girl, someone I would want to spend the rest of my life with. But I’ve always been looking for that.
What’s gone wrong then?
I’ve just gone into relationships instead of really thinking about what I really want. Like, is this girl loyal? Is this girl trustworthy? I would just go into a relationship because I feel like there’s a connection. I’m really, really intense in relationships, so I seem to get into them quickly. I think my record was three days and she was my girlfriend. I need to take things slow.
What kind of boyfriend are you?
I’m a good boyfriend. I’m really caring, fun, generous, loyal. I’m respectful.You know how they say that not everyone’s perfect, I think I’m the only person who is. I’m perfect for a girl. They get the whole package.
Do you have a type?
Just a nice girl. Obviously, if she was peng, it’d be even better. Peng means brilliant, by the way. To have longevity, the personality has to be right otherwise it’ll just be one of those relationships that I’ll get into and I’ll get out of it straight away.
Have any of the girls on the show caught your eye?
Sophie [Hermann]’s a really pretty girl but not for me. I don’t want to date Chelsea girls. Nah, not a good match – I’ve been there before. Once bitten, twice shy, as they say. I’m going forward, I’m not repeating the same pattern.
Which celeb would you love to take on a date?
I’ve always thought Kendall Jenner’s a sort. I don’t know, maybe she’ll get lucky one day! Sometimes I do get celebrities sliding into my DMs. I think people would be quite surprised. I don’t just get with any girl. I’m very picky.
What puts you off of someone?
As long as you’re honest with me and I fancy you, I’ll date you. But once you start telling white lies, I’m out. For example, I hate it when girls pretend they don’t know who I am, or have never heard of me. In some cases, I can tell straight away that they don’t know anything about me. But in other cases, I can tell straight away that they know who I am but they’re lying. Once a girl shows me that, it means she’s playing
games and that’s a turn-off.
What’s it been like working with matchmakers Anna Williamson and Paul Carrick Brunson again? Anna and Paul are really good. They’re very serious. They will tell you to do something and you’ve got to try to do exactly what they say. I’m trying to listen a little bit more.
‘I hate it when girls pretend they don’t know who I am’
What have they told you to do?
Just to find out things about the girl. I haven’t got emotional in any sessions. I’ve learnt a lot because I’ve been in the agency every day.
Celebs Go Dating: The Mansion, Mon-Fri, 9pm, E4