Joey Essex: I’ve proved I’m not stupid
DANCING on Ice finalist Joey Essex says the show has finally given him the chance to be taken seriously.
The reality TV star said people often presume he is “silly and stupid” but he credits the ITV series with giving him the chance to prove he can commit and work hard.
Best known for appearing on The Only Way Is Essex, Joey,
32, who competes in the final tonight also told how he is doing the show for his late mum Tina, who took her own life when he was just 10.
Joey and pro-dance partner Vanessa Bauer will compete against former Olympic athlete Nile Wilson and drag star The
Vivienne. Joey said: “I made a promise to myself before I started this journey. It was an easy promise because I knew I’d never break it.
“I said I’d be fully committed and would put 100 per cent of my life into this and I did.
“People can only watch and see that I have proved that.
“This is my time to show people I have got discipline.
“I am dedicated – I am not as unintelligent as everyone thinks I am.
“Everyone always presumes that I’m silly and stupid and people probably were thinking I’m going to be all over the place. I’m very capable of doing this. I believe in myself.
“Winning would make this dream complete. We put everything into it. I have lifted Vanessa on the ice. I just want to lift the trophy.”
He added: “The only time I see my friends and family is in the audience. I’ve literally put my whole life on hold. I haven’t been partying, haven’t been drinking. I am very dedicated.
“On Sunday night we’re going to pull it all out the bag and we’re going to smash it.
“I wanted to do the skate for my mum, to show that you can turn negative thoughts into positive thoughts.”