JOEY Essex is known for his big persona on a string of reality shows.
But for the last two decades, the 33-year-old Love Island bombshell has been burying his grief over his mother’s tragic death.
Tina tragically passed away in 2001.
Joey was 10 at the time while his sister Frankie was 13.
At first, the children were told their mum had died after falling but they later discovered the truth.
In March 2022, Joey took to Instagram to share a childhood snap of himself lying next to his beloved mum.
He captioned the image: "It don’t get easier, but I do this all for you. I got nothing to prove to anyone but you mum.
"I’ll keep trying to make you proud."
He added: "Smiling as much as possible. One day I’ll see you again anyway… happy birthday."
Joey's mum Tina sadly took her own life after a battle with depression.
Tina developed an infection called candida before she died, which is an illness that causes symptoms such as stomach problems, fatigue, joint pain and depression.
Joey's sister Frankie has said that their mum did not seek any help for her depression which ultimately led to her tragic death.
She told the Mirror back in 2013: “Mum hid it. It’s the silent ones, the ones who don’t speak, that you need to be worried about.
“She had to be strong for us and strong for my dad. She had everything she ever wanted but she didn’t know where to go in the end. If I wasn’t so young maybe I could have helped her.
“I wish there was more support for my mum. She hit rock bottom.”
Joey has said he still struggles to come to terms with what happened with his mother.
My mum loved me, but she left me
Joey Essex
He briefly opened up while taking part in Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins in 2020 about her death.
Joey explained on the show: "I had to deal with a lot of [stuff]. My mum committed suicide when I was ten which was difficult."
He continued: "It hardened me up a little bit. I can't explain it.
"It's made me tougher inside. I only sort of started being able to talk about it openly, saying the word mum three or four years ago.
"I know my mum loved me. But it has given me trust issues. One day she was there one day she was gone."
In 2020 Joey filmed a BBC Three documentary where he turned to therapy after realising the grief is killing his dream of starting a family and finding true love.
Breaking down in tears, he said: “My mum loved me, but she left me. I just think to myself: If she loved me that much, why would she leave me?
“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.
“I know I need to change things now so I’ve decided to look for help.”
The drama, titled Joey Essex: Grief and Me, is out on BBC iPlayer now.
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.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
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:
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