Joey Essex reveals struggle to find lasting love is because of his biggest fear – after snogging Maura Higgins
JOEY Essex previously told how he struggles to find love as he opened his heart about his mum’s suicide when he was just 10.
The brave star, who was pictured kissing Maura Higgins this week, spoke about his loss in the documentary Grief and Me last year.
He said: “I’ve gone from being a big party boy going out. Now I genuinely do want a family. I want to find true love …
He added: “My mum loved me, but she left me. I just think to myself: If she loved me that much, why would she leave me?
“I’ve had loads of relationships but I always end up pushing them away.
“Imagine if I was with someone and I had kids with them and I really did love that person and then she left me. I wouldn’t know what to do. I’m already thinking we’re gonna break up before we’re together. I’m pushing it away.”
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He said he has shunned commitment in the past because he fears showing his pain to a partner.
Joey shared: “I think that my life has been too painful for that person to be with. Because I don’t want to put them through what I’ve been through.
“I know I need to change things now so I’ve decided to look for help.”
It comes as The Sun revealed Joey and Maura are planning to go on a date.
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The pair have swapped numbers, and have spent the past 12 hours planning their first official outing after meeting at the Pride of Britain Awards.
Joey, who has dated a string of models, hopes to charm Maura, 31, over dinner.
The insider said: “They did leave together in a taxi but Joey’s a gentleman so there was no funny business that night.
He had to be at Dancing On Ice training at 7.30am the next day anyway, so all they did was kiss and chat.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
“There is a connection there — a real meeting of minds.
“They both fancy the pants off each other — it could be the start of something pretty special.
“Maura’s really keen for a date with Joey and they’ve been messaging nonstop since.”
