Joey Essex and Vanessa Bauer during Dancing On Ice 2023 (Picture: PA)

Dancing On Ice finalist Joey Essex felt the presence of his late mum as he paid tribute to her on the show.

Last weekend’s semi-final saw the ex-Towie star perform a touching routine in memory of his mother Tina. She died by suicide in 2001, when he
was ten years old.

And, in an interview with Guilty Pleasures, the 32-year-old shared that
his mum ‘was definitely looking down on me’ as he skated.

‘It was extremely difficult to do that, to be honest, because I had this flooding of emotions beforehand,’ Joey admitted.

‘When I got asked to do a personal skate, the first person that come to my mind was my mum. But it still is very painful, very raw.

‘I don’t think I’ll fully ever properly get over that situation.’ Joey didn’t know at the time that his nan, who was in the audience, was clutching an item of Tina’s clothing.

‘My mum passed me a silk scarf when I was young… I told my nan about it,’
he added. ‘She brought the scarf, had it in her pocket.

‘I do have them, sort of, “feels” sometimes. I’m not really superstitious but I do believe my mum is looking over me. I feel she’d be proud. She would have loved to have been there.’

The former I’m A Celebrity favourite also spoke about potentially making a
TV series inspired by his experience of grief. ‘I would love to do something with younger adults who have dealt with loss,’ he said.

More pressingly, Joey and pro partner (and rumoured love interest) Vanessa Bauer are focused on Dancing On Ice’s grand finale, which will be shown on Sunday at 6.30pm on ITV1.

And one of their dances sounds toga-rific. ‘I’m Hercules in it, so I can’t wait… Hercules is a bit bigger than me but, if I go down the gym today and tomorrow, I might match him!’ Joey exclaimed.