Following reports that TOWIE’s most famous couple had split, Joey Essex – who was keen to defend his romance – confirmed that he and Sam are back together and their on off relationship is no different to anyone else’s.
Joey said: “We argue and have our rocky patches. We can’t do anything without being noticed, even when we’re walking down the street and not holding hands someone will report we’re not together.”
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Reality star Sam insisted that despite recent speculation 24-year-old Joey and her are ‘happy’ with their relationship and the pressure is off now the couple have both left The Only Way Is Essex; however their demanding work schedules mean that they don’t get to spend enough time together.
Sam said: “It is intense because Joey and I are so busy that we don’t get to see each other but when we do we cherish every moment and it is special – when we do have time together we chill out and have a night in.”
Joey and Sam’s relationship has played out on the ITV2 hit show The Only Way Is Essex as audiences watched them on 'glamping' trips and dates at Essex based nightclub Sugar Hut.
Despite regular on-screen spats the couple got engaged when Joey proposed to the 23-year-old in Dubai in March 2013. Due to more arguments the couple called time on their engagement and split three months later.
Having left TOWIE in 2014, Sam admits to feeling 'less Essex'. She is now signed to leading modelling agency Elite, but she reminisces on her Brentwood roots with fond memories and will refuse to give up her fake tan rituals – no matter where her career takes her.
She said: "Growing up in an Essex school with your Essex friends and being teenagers and doing what you do in Essex meant that growing up and leaving the show really changed me. Now we’re working away from home the whole time so you’re meeting different people from various walks of life. I've been to London, Liverpool, Manchester and Dublin recently too so I’m not as Essex as I once was but I am still there in the roots and I will never ever forget it. And I still fake tan."
Keen to showcase his stylish side Joey revealed a new pony-tail – which he doesn’t intend on keeping and is in-talks with his manager about a different longer-haired do – and maintained that Sam is the only girl for him: He doesn’t even admire X Factor’s Cheryl from afar!
He said: "Cheryl? Are you joking? I only look at Sam and I’m not just saying that because she’s here."
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Eager to take on Joey's Essex name, Sam is feeling broody having become an auntie to older sister Billie's first baby, Nelly, who is two months old.
Sam said: "I've always loved babies and I have no doubts that I will have children. I definitely want a big family and being an auntie to Nelly has been so nice because she isn't my own but she is close enough. In years to come Joey and I would love to have a family but at the moment we are so busy chasing our dreams, I'd love for it to happen in the future."
Before becoming a mum Sam has her sights on taking her newly found modelling career to new heights and much like Kate Upton aspires to flaunt her bod on the cover of US magazine Sports Illustrated.
Sam said: "I really enjoy fitness and being healthy. Since being diagnosed with Crohn's I've opened my mind to other foods and exercise. It is something I like talking about and want to get involved in but not as intensively as Lucy."
Sam, who was diagnosed in February of this year, having fallen ill during her time on Celebrity Big Brother, leads a normal life aside from taking one tablet per day. But Sam is finding it increasingly more difficult to keep her body in shape since reaching her twenties and adapting to her Crohn's diet.
She said: "Realistically with crones it’s quite a high calorie diet they advice bread, pasta and potatoes – all that I want to avoid, especially before I go on holiday. Since I hit my twenties I would just eat, drink and go out and I wouldn’t see any changes but I really have to watch what I eat now I’m 23 – I think when you grow into a woman then you do have to watch what you eat and exercise to keep your figure in shape."
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Sam Faiers / Joey Essex opened the doors to new retailer Doddle; brand new shops in and around train stations across the country for online shoppers to collect, send and return parcels. Shops are open early until late seven days a week and people can sign up for free at www.idoddle.it/register