He's the king of reality TV, and as he arrives back on our screens and into the Love Island villa - you may wonder where he's been.
Joey Essex made his TV debut back in 2011 as a fresh-faced 20-year-old on TOWIE, and ever since, he's popped up on several different shows.
However, he took a break from telly and has been rumoured to have been living it up in Dubai before he headed to the villa to find love. The native Londoner moved to Dubai after a break-in at his £3 million mansion in 2022 according to Essex Live and took a step back from TV.
The star was spotted meeting with officials at the landmark building the Burj Al Arab, who gave him an Esaad card to mark his "new home". The card provides holders with deals to save money across education, health, restaurants and entertainment.
His £3 million home was raided by thieves which is why he was believed to have moved to Dubai (MTV)It's believed that the break-in has left the star "struggling with the trauma" and has been reported that he hasn't been able to shake off the ordeal. An insider told the Sun last year he believed the United Arab Emirates country is safer and would give him peace of mind. "Joey has started house-hunting in Dubai. He is planning to buy a base out there so he can jet off whenever he likes. Joey will be splitting his time between his home in Essex and his new place in Dubai."
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"At the world's most luxurious hotel Burj Al Arab I met up with the Dubai Government," Joey wrote under the snaps of himself with the government officials. "They told me Dubai is now my home.
"Thank you to Mahmoud Al Burai & Shahab Ahmed Alsaadi for everything you have put in place for me and Dubai police, Dubai Tourism Board, Dubai media for getting in touch and taking the time to meet me and giving me the warmest welcome to their country."
While he wasn't partaking in any reality shows during his time in Dubai, Joey kept up with social media sharing swanky snaps. From holidays to Los Angeles to life in Dubai, Joey still updated his fans while not being on any TV shows.
He also shared his time socialising with close friends including former TOWIE co-star James Argent and Tom Pearce. However, while they were enjoying their time in Dubai, their apartment became flooded during the torrential rain storms that hit the desert city-state.
Unaware of the severe weather warnings, Joey told Daily Mail: "Apparently there was a warning but the only warning I got was Tom Pearce on his hands and knees in my room at 8 am." Arg then admitted he was desperate to get home, and said: "We've got a flight home on Saturday and I can't wait to get on it."
Joey revealed they were in "survival mode" as they tried to hitchhike a lift. He uploaded a clip of him walking along the street pavement, part of which had seemingly collapsed, as a car tried to make its way across a flooded road. The caption said: "After hours of looking for a taxi and hitchhiking on the streets of Dubai. We have now decided to take the next step... operation survival."
It appeared as if the move was a long-term plan for Joey, as internet sleuths found his impressive mansion up for rent - for an eyewatering £13,000 a month. However, he returned to the UK in April, three months before his bombshell arrival into the villa.
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