Joey Essex will spend Mother’s Day (30.03.14) at his mum’s graveside.
The 23-year-old hunk was just 10 years old when his mother Tina took her own life aged 38 and, even though a considerable amount of time has passed, the memorable day is still difficult for him and his older sister Frankie.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper, he said: "It’s not a great day for anyone who has lost their mum at any age. I normally go to the cemetery to lay a bunch of flowers and think silent thoughts.
"It is what it is and I can’t change the past so I just try to pick myself back up again.
"My mates’ mums also give me a lot of support. I can turn to them if I’m having an off-day and do all the things a mum and son might do, like go shopping or have lunch."
The former ‘The Only Way is Essex’ star admits he was in denial about his mum’s death for five years, but he’s now using his fame to raise money for Child Bereavement UK.
Joey will walk three kilometres in an all-in-one on Sunday for the charity, which supports families when a child dies or when a youngster is bereaved.
He explained: "I wouldn’t say I wear onesies that often but it’s for a good cause and I hope people will come and join me if they can.
"When I came out of the ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ jungle [last year], I wanted to find a charity that was close to my heart and this [Child Bereavement UK] is it."
Joey Essex to spend Mother’s Day at mum’s grave
