Joey Essex seemingly confirmed rumours of a relationship with Vanessa Bauer during Sunday’s Dancing On Ice, after being grilled by hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.
However, the presenters were subsequently slammed by viewers for being ‘totally inappropriate’, ‘disrespectful’ and leaving Vanessa visibly ‘uncomfortable’.
Phil, 60, attempted to coax the former TOWIE star, 32, and his professional partner, 26, into revealing whether they were an item or not, before Holly, 41, announced the pair as as ‘Joey Essex and his skating-slash-real life partner Vanessa’.
Couple? Joey Essex seemingly confirmed rumours of a relationship with Vanessa Bauer during Sunday’s Dancing On Ice, after being grilled by hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby
It comes after The Sun reported Joey and Vanessa had been ‘super flirty’ during rehearsals – before the pair each shut down claims of a relationship.
During the latest installment, in which they dressed as Grease’s leading characters, Holly said: ‘You’re like a real life Sandy and Danny out there, have you got something you want to tell us, you two?’
Joey cheekily replied: ‘Danny and Sandy are getting on pretty well, if you know what I mean,’ before Holly asked if they’re ‘going steady’.
The reality star responded, ‘Of course, always steady,’ while Vanessa looked mortified.
Awkward! However, the presenters were subsequently slammed by viewers for being ‘totally inappropriate’, ‘disrespectful’ and leaving Vanessa visibly ‘uncomfortable’
Eek! During the latest installment, in which they dressed as Grease’s leading characters, Holly said: ‘You’re like a real life Sandy and Danny out there, have you got something you want to tell us, you two?’
Response: Joey cheekily replied: ‘Danny and Sandy are getting on pretty well, if you know what I mean,’ before Holly asked if they’re ‘going steady’
When Phillip pressed, ‘Are you confirming this?’ Joey said, ‘I’m not confirming anything,’ while holding his hands up.
Viewers soon wrote on Twitter: ‘As someone who works in TV, quite disappointing to see DOI encourage speculation about a partnership being more, should be left alone and be between them if it is the case – needs to be more respectful #DancingOnIce.
‘It’s was very uncomfortable viewing especially for the professional, who has trained hard to be where she is.
‘And @hollywills is hardly an inexperienced presenter… “Are Sandy & Danny going steady?” Totally inappropriate. Felt sorry for Vanessa. Joey has a huge ego so he’ll be fine.
Uh-oh: Viewers soon wrote on Twitter: ‘It’s was very uncomfortable viewing especially for the professional, who has trained hard to be where she is’
‘Totally agree. Why it’s even relevant or anyone’s business I do not know. And maybe they’re just very good at performing.
‘I feel like Vanessa could not look anymore uncomfortable when everyone’s talking about her and Joey’s relationship, and it really doesn’t have anything to do with how well they skate? #DancingOnIce.
‘So unprofessional from schofield and Willoughby the comments they mate 2 joey Essex and Vanessa #doi #dancingonice.
‘She looked really uncomfortable bless her.’
Denial: It comes after his professional dance partner Vanessa, 26, shut down any rumours of a romance between herself and the TOWIE star, 32
Joey’s ex-girlfriend Lorena Medina recently claimed they have been exchanging ‘romantic’ messages after Vanessa Bauer shut down rumours of a romance with him.
The model, 30, said they are still in touch and claimed Joey told her that he ‘always’ thinks about her.
Now, Lorena has claimed Joey told her that he hasn’t had a ‘connection’ with anyone since their romance, but geography has proved to be a hurdle for them.
She told The Sun: ‘We have been speaking a bit romantically, Joey told me he always thinks about me.
Rumours: Vanessa admitted that they are ‘having a lot of fun’ but shut down any rumours of a romance between herself and Joey
‘He said that he hasn’t been able to find that connection with anyone since me and I said, “Me too. I haven’t found it yet either”, and Joey said, “Well, if you come to London I’ll come to see you”.
‘We both know the attraction is there – the constant love is still there – but I am in different countries working on my singing career and he is in England.’
Joey and Lorena enjoyed a whirlwind romance for a few months in 2020 before she broke up with him after he had a 24-hour partying session with Rita Ora and his pals.
Lorena said they hadn’t spoken until seven months ago, when she rang him during a boozy night out in Columbia, and that they have been in touch since.
Romantic: The Dancing On Ice star’s model ex Lorena (pictured in January 2020), 30, said they are still in touch and claimed that Joey told her that he ‘always’ thinks about her
MailOnline contacted Joey’s representatives for comment at the time.
It comes after both Vanessa and Joey have played down rumours of a romance blossoming between them as they compete on Dancing On Ice together.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain earlier this week, he said: ‘I’m single, Vanessa’s single. We go to the ice every day, it’s cold, do you know what I mean?
‘We’ve got to keep each other warm! But yeah, it’s all good.’
Meanwhile, Vanessa admitted that they are ‘having a lot of fun’ but shut down any rumours of a romance between herself and Joey.
Growing close: Vanessa’s comments came following reports that she and Joey have been growing close and are reportedly ‘super flirty’
Despite putting on a close display on social media and being subject to a wave of romance rumours over the last few months, she confirmed that they are simply ‘just skating partners’.
Speaking to The Sun at Elf The Musical’s press night in London, Vanessa was asked whether there was any truth to rumours of a blossoming relationship between her and Joey.
‘We are just skating partners,’ she firmly said, while responding the same to any chance of romance in the future.
Vanessa’s comments came following reports that she and Joey have been growing close and are reportedly ‘super flirty’.
The rumours began to swirl after Joey was spotted sharing a kiss with Love Island’s Maura Higgins during this year’s National Television Awards.
A source told The Sun: ‘Joey and Vanessa have grown close incredibly quickly.
‘Right now they have managed to keep everything professional but it’s safe to say they are both super flirty.
‘They are going to spend a lot of time together over the next few months due to rehearsals so it’s easy to see how romance could blossom.’
DANCING ON ICE 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
PATSY PALMER
AGE: 50
PROFESSION: Actress and DJ
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve turned it down before because I was terrified, but when I turned 50 I made a pact to get out of my confront zone. ‘
EKIN-SU CULCULOGLU
AGE: 28
PROFESSION: Love Island star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve got some amazing news to tell you. I’m so excited, I can’t wait to get myself on the ice and skate. Stay tuned and see you on the ice.’
MOLLIE GALLAGHER
AGE: 24
PROFESSION: Actress
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve not got the best coordination so when people find out they will laugh, but I don’t want to spend my life saying “I can’t do this, I can’t do that.”
JOEY ESSEX
AGE: 32
PROFESSION: Ex TOWIE star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited. I wanted something in my life with structure and it’s more serious than what I usually do.’
CARLEY STENSON
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Actress and West End star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited that I get to learn how to dance…on ice! I’m terrified but can’t wait – I just want to make the most of this whole experience.’
SIVA KANESWARAN
AGE: 33
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I want to learn how to skate and make my family proud of me and put on a show for everyone to see.’
JOHN FASHANU
AGE: 60
PROFESSION: Former footballer and pundit
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I am definitely in it to win it.And this may be one of the scariest things I’ve ever signed up for but I couldn’t be more ready for the challenge!’
NILE WILSON
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: Olympic gymnast
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve not done much ice-skating but I am so excited for the opportunity. I’m so excited to get into that routine and to feel like an athlete again.’
JAMES LEE WILLIAM AKA THE VIVIENNE
AGE: 29
PROFESSION: Drag queen
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘To be the first drag artist to take part in one of the big UK reality competition shows is an honour and a big step forward for queer representation on TV.’
DARREN HARRIOT
PROFESSION: Comedian
AGE: 34
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve got giant feet, I don’t skate and I can’t dance. My family has already made bets – they’re making bets that I’ll fall on the first episode!’
MICHELLE HEATON
AGE: 43
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve always wanted to do it but I know I would never have been able to complete anything because of the way I was 18 months ago, so I’m really truly grateful that I’ve got it this year when I’m a lot stronger.’