Essex

Love Island All Stars bombshell Jessy Potts has addressed her split from Joey Essex after making a dramatic entrance into the ITV2 villa

Love Island All Stars bombshell Jessy Potts has lifted the lid on her romance with reality television personality Joey Essex following her explosive villa debut.

The 27-year-old caused quite a stir when she strutted into the ITV2 villa during last night’s heart rate challenge (February 9), planting kisses on Tommy and Scott’s lips whilst giving the remaining boys neck kisses. Tonight’s episode revealed her sultry black lace outfit had sent several boys’ heart rates soaring, much to the annoyance of some of the female contestants.

As the new arrival began mingling with her fellow Islanders, Love Island USA’s Zac was first on her agenda for a private conversation. She whisked the reality star away to the terrace whilst his partner Millie looked on, confessing: “I love an American.”

During their chat, she discussed her past romance with The Only Way Is Essex favourite Joey, who became Love Island’s inaugural celebrity bombshell when he joined the show’s eleventh series.

Jessy arrived in the villa later that season with the power to couple up with any boy she fancied. She chose Joey and the duo remained together until their fellow Islanders voted them both off the programme, reports OK!

However, just two months after their stint on the 2024 summer series, the pair decided to go their separate ways. At the time, they each released a statement, with Jessy saying: “I appreciate the Love Island experience I had with Joey, we tried to make it work but it wasn’t to be. I’m so grateful to everyone who supported us and look forward to all of the exciting opportunities ahead.”

Joey, on the other hand, stated: “Unfortunately, we have decided to call an end to the relationship but I hope we can continue to be friends. I truly wish Jessy the very best with whatever she does in the future.”

Now, Jessy has shed more light on what led to their break-up, revealing to Zac that they were simply “different people”.

After Zac apologised for not having watched her season, Jessy clarified: “Mine was a couple of years ago but I had quite an easy journey. I basically got in there, got in one couple and stayed in it the whole time.”

When Zac asked: “Why did it end?”, Jessy confessed: “It only lasted about a couple of months afterwards. It was just we’re definitely different people. So then you leave here and it’s like ‘Oh s***’. It’s a lot.”

She added: “He’d done TV before so he already had a lot of people that had opinions about him anyway. It just wasn’t for me but that’s ok.”

Love Island All Stars airs Sunday to Fridays at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new ** Everything Gossip ** website.

It looks like something out of a fairy tale.

It’s easy to see why this was named the best place to live in the UK. It’s got cobbled streets, Tudor buildings, colourful timber-framed houses, bustling market square, and range of independent businesses.

After several days of rain, the sun appeared just as I arrived to walk through the town chatting with locals enjoying the sunshine in the market square, exploring independent shops and admiring the timber-framed houses. This historic Essex town was named the best place to live in the UK by The Sunday Times in March 2025, topping a shortlist of 72 locations. Judges considered schools, transport, broadband speeds, mobile signals, access to green spaces, and the quality of the high street.

In stark contrast to so many dwindling high streets found across the country, Saffron Walden appears to be thriving with its bustling twice-weekly markets and a town centre that is estimated to be home to over 200 independent shops, cafés and restaurants. In 2024, the high street was also named among Britain’s top 32 by experts from Cheffins estate agents.

The town hosts its market on Tuesdays and Saturdays, a tradition dating back to 1141, and it’s a favourite spot for celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and his son River, with the celebrity chef having spoken in the past of visiting every Saturday. The TV star spoke highly of the community spirit and variety of produce at Saffron Walden Market, which was voted Best Small Outdoor Market in 2018.

He previously said: “I’m so lucky to have one of the best markets right on my doorstep. Saffron Walden is an absolute treasure trove of artisan suppliers, from Dan at Crystal Waters fishmongers to Saffron Wholefoods making incredible ingredients.

“Going every Saturday morning is the highlight of mine and River’s week – he loves it even more than me! We look at what’s in season, what looks good and what’s crying out to be cooked up! It’s a great way to connect with the local community and support the best of the best. I couldn’t love my local market more, make sure you go out and support yours.”

Felicity Norton, who has lived in Saffron Walden for more than 35 years, said the town’s charm has never faded. She said: “I’ve always loved Saffron Walden. It’s changed over the years, but it’s still a lovely, quiet little town.”

The town’s sense of place is rooted in both its history and stunning surroundings, from the grand stateliness of Audley End House and Gardens to peaceful walks through Bridge End Garden, a beautiful restored Victorian garden. The market town’s roots stretch back to at least the Neolithic period, evolving through a Roman-oBritish settlement and an Anglo-Saxon community before expanding under the Normans into a thriving medieval market centre, later gaining wealth and its distinctive name from the flourishing saffron industry of the 15th and 16th centuries.

Despite challenges facing high streets nationwide, Saffron Walden continues to attract a mix of independent retailers alongside well-known names such as Holland & Barrett. While some much-loved businesses and banks have closed over time, the town has welcomed a wave of new ventures bringing fresh energy.

Locals highlighted beloved stores including Between the Lines, Harts Bookshop, Talents gift shop and a number of independent clothing boutiques. Organic coffee shops like Esquires and Chater’s, a bakery, restaurant and cafe which even has its own on-site distillery, are among the places to stop and linger.

We were told by many local business owners that Chater’s must not be missed and that Oliver often goes there. It is known for its bold, seasonal cooking using the best local ingredients.

Among Ms Norton’s favourite spots is Neon Leo, described as “such a fun shop – they sell really different things in there”. Neon Leo is a rental and pre-loved fashion store founded by best friends Mandy Weetch and Abigail North in 2023. Located on Market Row, the shop is truly a world of its own, filled with colour, laughter and positivity. When entering the store, customers are greeted with a beautiful selection of clothing, sequins, glitter balls and art. Ms Weetch told the Express: “Saffron Walden’s got a huge amount of independent businesses.”

Ms North added: “The community is really active. People want to be part of it, whether you’re a business owner or a customer. We’ve never experienced that anywhere else.”

The pair said the town’s collaborative atmosphere sets it apart, with independent shops actively supporting one another and they also highlighted how Oliver comes every weekend to support local traders. Neon Leo hosts events emphasising confidence and self-expression through fashion, a movement they’ve dubbed “fashionism,” celebrating the power of women dressing how they want and defying outdated style rules, whether through small accessories or statement pieces.

“Ultimately, you should wear what you want, wear what you love,” Ms Weetch said.

Burtons Butchers is also beloved by local residents. The longstanding family-run shop serves premium meat products to customers, restaurants, hotels, and catering companies across East Anglia.

Since 2010, more than 1,000 butchers have closed across the UK, and the number of butchers in the UK has generally been shrinking in recent years, according to data sources such as Statista. The town also has a fishmongers, a beautiful independent bookshop and a library. Burtons Butchers was established in 1984 and serves a range of meats including venison sausages and local pork, beef and chicken sausages.

Andrew Northrop, manager of Burtons Butchers, said on market days there’s a great bustle, a “great energy” and “enthusiasm” from people for their town. “People like to see it do well and wish to support,” he added. Jamie Oliver often buys meat from the butchers and comes in with his family. They are proud to be his supplier and enjoy seeing him and having a chat.

Mr Northrop added: “You have to enjoy what you do, and when you’re passionate about it and enthusiastic people respond to that, and enjoy coming in here and the experience of coming in.”

MICHELLE KEEGAN has shared snaps from her second glam trip of the year despite being blasted by Essex mums over her gifted holiday.

The mum-of-one, 38, jetted off to Abu Dhabi a couple of weeks ago with husband Mark Wright and Palma but fans weren’t happy when they realised it was a paid for all-expenses trip.

Now the former Coronation Street star has jetted off to Los Angeles as she shared a series of pictures in America on her Instagram stories.

She posted snaps of a brightly coloured barista art coffee as well as a neon sign that read, ‘The Beverly Hills Hotel’.

A collage of photos showed the actress wearing a multi coloured buttoned up top with a pair of jeans and some brown boots.

As she smiled for the camera, she opted for a straightened hair look for her brunette locks and went for a subtle make up look complete with a nude lip, mascara and a bit of blush.

READ MORE ON MICHELLE KEEGAN

MUM’S ADMISSION

Mark Wright’s mum says she ‘holds back’ with Michelle Keegan to avoid rows

WRIGHT XMAS

Michelle & Mark Wright’s ‘tacky’ Christmas move which enraged Essex neighbours

It’s unclear whether Michelle is in the US for work or play, but it was previously reported that the Netflix star was in talks to star in Reese Witherspoon’s big-budget movie adaptation of her new novel.

Oscar-winner Reese, 49, wrote crime thriller Gone Before Goodbye with American author Harlan Coben, who was behind Michelle’s Netflix hit show Fool Me Once.

Harlan introduced the women to each other at the launch of the book at the ­London Literature Festival, held at the capital’s Festival Hall last weekend.

A source said: “Harlan has been singing Michelle’s praises to Reese and she was keen to meet her. They got on really well and it was clear Reese was really taken with Michelle.

“The plan is to turn the book into a film and Michelle is their first choice to take on the role of the lead character, Maggie McCabe.

“She is a combat surgeon and Michelle previously played an Army medic in Our Girl on the BBC, so it’s a role they know she could take on with style.

“It’s early days but Harlan and Reese think Michelle is tailor-made for this role and would love her to come on board when the time is right.”

Michelle’s trip comes just week after her freebie trip to the UAE in which she was slammed by Essex mums.

Michellle and Mark stayed at the lavish Rixos Premium in Saadiyat Island, but they didn’t pay a penny for the stay.

It got locals back in Britain, who have got to know Michelle since she moved into her £3.5m mansion in Essex, talking – and not in a good way. 

A source explained: “Local mums are incredibly jealous of the trip and the fact she got it for free.

“They feel like she is really out of touch and showing off something rotten by plastering it all over social media. They are used to it from Mark, but not her.”

And her outraged Instagram followers rushed to express their upset, with one person questioning: “Lovely, could you not have gifted it to a family who could never afford the experience??”

But insiders told us that Michelle has “had enough of the constant whispering and bitching from these so-called Essex wives and the trolls”.

They added: “These women are obsessed with her because they want to be her –  they’re jealous, plain and simple.

“They watch everything she does because they wish they could be as beautiful and famous as her, then sit around slagging her off just because Michelle is too busy to be their friend.

STANDING barefoot in the soft white sand, with her husband’s arm wrapped around her and her baby daughter crawling at her feet, Michelle Keegan couldn’t keep the huge smile from her face.

It was a moment she had been looking forward to for years, but her joy wasn’t felt by others. “How dare the wealthy actress bag a £2,000-a-night trip for free?” raged the Essex mums online. Here, we can reveal what Michelle really thinks about the cruel whispers – and how her next steps are likely to cause even more upset.

While it was back to work for most people, Michelle, 38, kicked off January with a trip to Abu Dhabi alongside husband Mark Wright and nine-month-old daughter Palma.

The couple, who are worth an estimated £20m, stayed at the lavish Rixos Premium in Saadiyat Island, but they didn’t pay a penny for the stay.

It got locals back in Britain, who have got to know Michelle since she moved into her £3.5m mansion in Essex, talking – and not in a good way. 

A source explained: “Local mums are incredibly jealous of the trip and the fact she got it for free. They feel like she is really out of touch and showing off something rotten by plastering it all over social media. They are used to it from Mark, but not her.”

And her outraged Instagram followers rushed to express their upset, with one person questioning: “Lovely, could you not have gifted it to a family who could never afford the experience??”

While another ranted: “Makes me mad when these celebs get free holidays, pay for your own, it’s not as if they can’t afford it.”

And someone else added:  “Dripping with expensive Cartier jewellery but won’t pay for holidays, work on their house, stuff for their baby. Before you mega fans jump on me, no this isn’t jealousy, it’s pure greed and materialism.”

But insiders tell us that Michelle has “had enough of the constant whispering and bitching from these so-called Essex wives and the trolls”.

They added: “These women are obsessed with her because they want to be her –  they’re jealous, plain and simple.

“They watch everything she does because they wish they could be as beautiful and famous as her, then sit around slagging her off just because Michelle is too busy to be their friend.

“They have misinterpreted it as a total snub, so they sit around gossiping about her to try to make themselves feel better about their sad little lives. 

“Michelle has tried to keep her head down and ignore it. It was really hurtful when she first started to hear about this, and she was upset about it for a while, but now she’s reached the point where she’s not hiding her feelings anymore.

“She’s made a conscious decision not to dim her shine just because other people can’t handle it.”

And while in the past she might have shied away from sharing pictures from her trip, Michelle uploaded a whole carousel of images last week in what those close to her are calling a show of defiance.

Appearing toned and tanned, the Our Girl actress looked incredibly put together in every snap. Everything was perfect, down to her pristine white outfits – and it left other mums feeling she was “rubbing her extravagant lifestyle in their faces”.

‘Sticking two fingers up’

Insiders tell us that Michelle finds it particularly grating that the nasty comments come from people who sit at home and do nothing all day.

She is a hugely successful actress, who built her career up from the ground up, with our source explaining: “People see the glamour and think it all came easy, they see Michelle on TV and think she’s soft, but Michelle’s tougher than people think. 

“She’s thick-skinned, she’s ballsy, and she’s done biting her tongue to keep the peace. She’s now sticking two fingers up at them all.”

It’s certainly not the first time the couple have raised eyebrows with their freebies.

Indeed, when they wed in May 2015, they included no less than 38 plugs for wedding freebies in a Hello! magazine interview. In the ten years since, their careers have gone from strength to strength.

Michelle is one of the UK’s most in-demand actresses thanks to roles in Brassic and Netflix hit Fool Me Once, while Mark has gone from reality star to radio DJ and TV presenter. 

Last year, Michelle landed a six-figure advertising deal to become the new face of Sky, and she’ll next be seen in ITV thriller The Blame alongside Douglas Booth. 

Freebies galore

It’s also thought the actress raked in a staggering £441,082 while pregnant with daughter Palma, bringing her net worth to more than £4 million.

But when they purchased their dream home in Essex, their huge wealth didn’t stop them from pulling in a few favours here and there. 

They tagged in a staircase designer when showing off their “mind-blowing” stairs, and Mark gushed he was “so happy” with his “beautiful” bathroom tiles.

A panelling company was also plugged for their gym upgrade, and their dining room appeared to be completely gifted, all of which sparked upset amongst social media users, and when they covered their mansion in fairy lights at Christmas, locals branded them “distasteful” and “tacky”.

But the couple are undeterred, and we can reveal they have big plans for 2026, which might cause even more upset. 

Our insider said: “Michelle and Mark are already planning more holidays and are looking to buy more houses. They would love to go to the Maldives this year and back to Dubai; they also both want to get out to America.

“They have recently been talking about how they would love to buy a holiday cottage in the Cotswolds for them and their families because they love Soho Farmhouse, and they want to be closer to that. 

“They see it as the ultimate status symbol, and to live just around the corner from the Beckhams is something Mark really likes the idea of.”

It’s unlikely to be a popular move, with Cotswolds’ locals already complaining about the number of out-of-towners who have moved in.

The couple already have a property in Majorca and are thought to own a number of other places in the UK. While many Brits are struggling to pay even one mortgage, showing off properties tends to cause upset and won’t do anything for claims they are out of touch. 

Michelle isn’t bragging, she’s just living her life loudly and unapologetically now

Last year, Mark and Michelle were forced to reevaluate their lives after their sprawling Essex home was broken into.

Michelle, who was heavily pregnant with daughter Palma at the time, and Mark were forced to lock themselves in a bedroom when masked raiders broke in.

The incident had a lasting impact on Michelle, who is said to have laid down strict rules about their use of social media – pictures of Palma’s face have been banned, and they will no longer be sharing pictures from inside their home. 

Michelle has also apparently adopted supermodel Kate Moss‘ “never complain and never explain” motto, so she isn’t doing any interviews or offering any comments about her private life or Palma.

But it seems she’s determined not to let the trolls and her negative experience with the house ruin things for her entirely. 

Our source is adamant, saying: “Michelle isn’t bragging, she’s just living her life loudly and unapologetically now. And if that makes the gossip worse, so be it.

“They have lots of big plans on the horizon, and they won’t keep it secret from fans or their haters; they’ll be posting it all on Instagram.”