Joey Essex says getting up at 7am for TV show Five Star Hotel was ‘shocking’

JOEY Essex says he was “shocked” by the workload of his new TV show Five Star Hotel - admitting he’s not used to graft.

The Towie star said he had to get his hands dirty by cleaning the pool, working at reception and taking guests to their room.

He filmed the E4 programme in a Greek island with Geordie Shore’s Holly Hagan, Made In Chelsea’s Spencer Matthews, Lydia Bright and Celebs Go Dating’s Charlotte Dawson.

Joey, 27, admitted to the Sun’s Bizarre column none of them expected to actually do any work and getting up at 7am was a struggle.

Speaking at the ITV Gala, he said: “It was a really good laugh but I don't think any of us expected to go to a hotel and work.

"I was working behind the counter, doing reception work, cleaning the pool, taking guests to the room, getting up at 7am making teas for people.”

He also revealed some of the stars partied hard as well as working hard whilst out there.

Joey added: “I tried taking it professionally. Out of all of everyone I kept it professional but at the same time had fun.”

In September, Spencer teased his Instagram followers about the all-star line-up, which also included Ex On The Beach’s Ashley Cain, putting up videos of them on the plane going to the island.

In the selfie video, he said “for all the reality fans out there – check this out” before showing the other four stars.

A later post showed him, Joey and Lydia in the plane’s cockpit with Spencer joking “we’re flying the plane”.