'I asked my dad, "Where's Mummy gone?" ' Joey Essex talks for the first time about his mother's suicide

By Sarah Bull


Emotional: Tearful Joey Essex has spoken about his mother's suicide in a new interview


On The Only Way Is Essex, he's the cheeky chappie who constantly entertains his castmates with his hilarious quips and humorous behaviour.

But Joey Essex today revealed a different side to himself as he spoke about his mother's suicide for the first time.

The 21-year-old was just 10 years of age when his mother took her own life, and says she had originally left the family worried when she disappeared three days previously.

Joey told Now magazine: 'I didn’t know where my mum was. I asked Dad: "Where’s Mummy gone?" And he told me, "She’ll be back soon."

'I didn’t know. I was just a kid. I thought she might’ve gone to a hotel. My dad must’ve been thinking, "Where’s my wife gone?" '

Joey added he struggled to take in the news when he was finally told about his mother's passing.

Struggling: Joey said it took him five years to come to terms with the news that his mother was gone

Screen star: Joey with Kirk Norcross in an episode of TOWIE on Sunday night

He said: 'I remember opening the door and Dad was standing there. He picked me up and said, "Mum’s gone." It was the biggest shock of everyone’s life.

'But I didn’t really believe it, to be fair. I was upset and crying, but after a while I thought, "Nah, she’ll come back."

'For the first five years I never believed it. I’ve never known how she did it, but I knew she killed herself. My sister Frankie knows how but I don’t want to.'

Joey added he wanted to come forward to tell fans exactly what had happened 11 years ago.

He said: 'Some people think they know what happened but I was there that day and I’m the only one who knows how I coped.

'I want people to hear it from my mouth once and for all.'

Meanwhile, Joey said that his mother's suicide has had a lasting effect on his life - including with the women he chooses to date.

Asked if he goes for a different type of woman after growing up without a mother, Joey said: 'Definitely. Sam always used to call me her toyboy. She’s a very mature lady.

'When she split up with me it was the anniversary of my mum’s death. I don’t think she knew but it really upset me.'


source:dailymail