What’s REALLY going on between Joey Essex and Love Island star Priya Jaswal as he halts romance for one wild reason
WHEN Joey Essex was pictured getting close with newly single Love Island star Priya Jaswal earlier this month, many hoped it was the start of the latest reality TV romance.
But The Sun can reveal that despite their late-night flirtation things have not been heating up between the Towie icon and the Surrey-born beauty for one very surprising reason.
Even though Joey has acquired something of a lothario reputation – dating a bevvy of beauties including Jesy Potts and Sam Faiers, since rising to fame on the ITV reality show in 2011 – he’s got his eyes on a very different sort of prize, I’m told.
A source tells me: “Priya and Joey spent the evening laughing and joking away so many assumed it could turn into something more serious.
“But Joey is taking a break from women and sex at the moment. In fact, he’s taken a vow of chastity.
“He’s got this big boxing match next month and he’s taking it very seriously.
“He is determined to win and has been sweating it out in the gym and is going to give it everything he has got.
“So Joey is on a strict sex ban until after the fight.”
The 36-year-old TV star is scheduled for a Misfits Boxing match on October 10 against comedian Dapper Laughs – real name Daniel O’Reilly – at the Copper Box Arena, London.
Misfits was launched in 2022 by YouTube star KSI and his manager Mams Taylor as the home for celebrity-style crossover bouts.
The effectiveness of sex bans before big sporting bouts is contested, but it is thought that Muhammad Ali abstained for six weeks prior to matches, as he believed avoiding sex preserved testosterone, focus and leg strength.
Joey is not the only modern day boxer to take a pre-match vow of chastity.
Tyson Fury has also switched to no-sex preparations, instead of his previous method of masturbating furiously before matches.
In 2022, ahead of his fight against Derek Chisora, Fury told Barstool Sports: “You know how I used to masturbate seven times per day to give me power?
“This time I’m celibate. I’m celibate for seven weeks until the fight. It’s a new method, I’m trying something out.
“I’m going in there with a loaded gun, someone’s getting in severe trouble.
“I’m gonna be testosteroned out of my head completely. Seven weeks’ worth.”
Joey’s stringent new regime will be a bitter blow for gorgeous Priya, 25, who is newly single after splitting from Love Island villa beau Aidan Murphy hours before the NTAs.
Joey and Priya were inseparable at the after party at London’s O2 arena, looking cosy as they chatted for hours and then left the bash together.
They then carried on partying at the after-after party in the Skybar at the nearby Intercontinental Hotel.
A source said at the time: “Joey and Priya really hit it off and got close. We’ll have to see what happens.
“Obviously Priya is very fresh to showbiz and just out of her connection with Aidan so we’ll see.”
However, according to sources, the pair swapped numbers and exchanged messages since their fun night out together.
It is not the first time that Joey has been linked to a Love Island beauty.
The London-born star even did his own stint in the villa in 2024, entering on the evening of Day 1 as the first “bombshell” of the series. Essex was the first celebrity to appear on the revived version of the show.
Joey was linked to model Grace Jackson, with whom he reportedly enjoyed a whirlwind romance for around six weeks in early 2024 after meeting in Dubai.
However, their relationship ended abruptly, leaving Grace feeling “hurt and confused” by Joey’s decision to break up.
The situation took an unexpected turn when Grace entered the Love Island villa on June 13, 2024, much to Joey’s shock.
It certainly called fireworks and became the drama of the season.
He was initially coupled up with Samantha Kenny, but later swayed toward bombshell Grace, leading to explosive arguments and mixed signals.
Joey then later turned his attention to another bombshell, Jessy Potts. This transition caused massive fallout with Grace, resulting in explosive arguments that dominated the screen time.
But it was not meant to be. Joey Essex and Jessy Potts confirmed their split on September 18, 2024.
The break up came just seven weeks after they left the Love Island villa together.
Despite their initial connection, both Joey and Jessy cited their busy schedules as a significant factor contributing to their breakup.
Jessy said that they “tried to make it work”, but the demands of their post-villa lives made it challenging to maintain their relationship.
More recently Joey confirmed on The Sun’s Showbiz Fix that he is a single man, and if his boxing career continues to thrive, it might just stay that way.