GO JOE
Joey Essex and Jessy Potts attend first red carpet together at NTAs as Love Island finalists shut down split rumours
Jessy broke her silence on split rumours
JOEY Essex and Jessy Potts attended their first red carpet together at the NTAs last night - quashing rumours they had split after Love Island.
The pair have made few public appearances together since leaving the ITV2 villa last month.
5
5
5
Jessy looked incredible in a black, strapless dress with a sexy high slit.
The 80s prom inspired gown featured a large, white ruffle detail on one side and she accessorised with black high heels and delicate earrings.
Joey also opted for a vintage style in a dark brown pinstriped suit with an open-collared shirt underneath.
Jessy and Joey met during the most recent series of Love Island, with him dumping ex-girlfriend Grace Jackson for her when she entered as a bombshell.
READ MORE ON LOVE ISLAND
But since leaving the villa, Joey, 34, and Jessy, 25, have been plagued with split rumours, and Jessy previously confessed they struggled as Joey was thrown back into his established showbiz career while she found her feet.
But despite their growing popularity and busy showbiz schedules, Jessy has confirmed that they are very much still together.
Speaking to The Sun ahead of the awards, Jessy said: “It’s completely untrue – in fact it couldn’t be further from the truth.
“We’re off to the National Television Awards together so that’ll be our red carpet debut which is exciting.
Most read in Love Island
“And I see Joey multiple times a week – I stay at his house, we go on dates, we don’t really post about it because we just like to spend time with each other. We like to just be in each other’s company.
“People can say what they want to say but we’re very happy with how it’s going and we’re going really strong.”
NTA Awards 2024: Under-fire Strictly KEEPS crown after battle against BGT & Bake Off as Ant & Dec scoop 23rd win
Asked whether Joey has met Jessy’s family again since their initial meeting on Love Island, the 25-year-old shared: “My dad loves the fame that’s come from the show – he’ll be down the pub and people recognise him. He loves it.
“My parents have spoken to Joey on FaceTime.”
Jessy also shared an update on their living situation, and shared: “I’m sure I’ll move in to Joey’s but I still live with my best friend so not just yet.”
NTAs was no big surprise, says our telly expert
COMMENT BY ROD MCPHEE
THE only surprise at tonight's National Television Awards was that there were virtually no surprises.
Ant and Dec took home Presenter Award for the millionth time, Strictly bagged the Talent Show gong and I'm A Celebrity triumphed in the Entertainment category.
Kate Garraway scooping the authored documentary award for Derek's Story was entirely deserved, but not a total shock either as she'd already done the same two years ago with Caring for Derek.
There were a few curveballs. Emmerdale beating Goliath soaps EastEnders and Corrie was unexpected, particularly as the rivals have both boasted big storylines recently.
And though there was no doubting how hugely moving Mr BatesVs The Post Office was for viewers this year, it was still stunning to see them bag three awards.
Does the general lack of surprises diminish the thrill of the NTAs? Not at all. It remains one of the few awards shows which actually gauges what the majority of Brits are actually watching.
We live in a bewildering world where scandals often rock shows, in an age where streaming means the shared experience is diminished and ratings are hard to decipher.
But year in, year out NTA voters leave us in no doubt which shows they adore, which ones they've fallen out of love with, and which celebrities they're prepared to back.
Look at how quickly relatively new shows like The Traitors, Bridgerton and The 1% Club have been embraced by NTA voters.
They aren't interested in PR stunts and promotion, in highbrow actors and writers lauded by their fellow luvvies and they certainly can't stand having what they ought to be watching dictated to them
They tell us all loud and clear, every year, who they consider to be the best - and woe betide any telly exec who ignores them.
Love Island was snubbed again at the NTAs in the reality TV competition category.
Host Maya Jama failed to attend the bash - after Love Island lost out two years in a row to The Traitors.
Traitors host Claudia Winkleman took to the stage to collect the gong.
She told the audience: "Thank you so much to the BBC. We are nothing without our wonderful cast.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"Thank you so much for this. This is yours."
A celebrity spin-off has also got the green light, and Claudia said: "We just really hope you like it. I know that sounds pathetic but we feel so strongly and so passionately about this show, so fingers crossed, you like it."
5
5
Topics