James Argent and pal Joey Essex looked very different as the TOWIE star shared a gorgeous throwback snap on Instagram on Monday.
The reality stars were seen beaming for the photo, which was taken 15 years ago, as they enjoyed a beer in Marbella, Spain.
The Essex duo looked unrecognisable as they flaunted sweeping side-swept bangs, with James, now 36, sporting a white polo shirt and Joey wearing a red checked shirt.
On the occasion of his good friend Joey’s 34th birthday, James wrote: “Happy birthday. Love you mate (red heart emoji). ‘Marbella 09’ (smiley face).
This comes after Joey was left “furious” during the live final of Love Island in Mallorca on Monday night following his controversial appearance on the ITV show.
James Argent and pal Joey Essex looked very different as the TOWIE star shared a gorgeous throwback snap on Instagram on Monday.
This comes after Joey appeared “furious” during the live final of Love Island in Mallorca on Monday night following his controversial appearance on the ITV show.
Joey, who was celebrating his birthday, was booted from the island along with fellow contestant Jessy Potts during a surprise elimination on Sunday.
Joey and Jessy were let go just a day before the final, as the former Islanders returned to the villa to settle scores during the episode.
The former islanders were asked to vote for the least compatible couple and ultimately sent Joey and Jessy packing when they received the most votes (seven).
However, fans of the show claimed the former TOWIE star looked “bitter” as he attended the final, which was won by Mimii Ngulube and Josh Oyinsan.
Viewers admitted they couldn’t help but notice his unimpressed facial expressions when the cameras lingered on him during the show.
There was speculation he was unhappy he didn’t make it to the final with Jessy, 25, after leaving the villa just a day earlier..
Speaking to X during the show, they said: ‘Joey Essex must be on fire!’; ‘Look at Joey Essex’s punk ass haha!’; ‘I know Joey Essex is in the corner cupboard’;
‘It’s Joey Essex’s birthday too’; ‘Joey Essex spending his birthday watching the people he tried to sabotage win MAKES ME ANGRY’; ‘I think this might be Joey Essex’s worst birthday ever’
The Essex duo have been friends since Joey joined the cast of TOWIE in 2010 – pictured left to right: Joey Essex, Mark Wright, James Argent, Kirk Norcross and Harry Derbidge.
During the last series of Love Island, Joey was evicted from the villa along with fellow contestant Jessy Potts during a surprise elimination the day before the final.
Fans of the show claimed the former TOWIE star looked “bitter” as he attended the final.
Viewers admitted they couldn’t help but notice Joey’s unimpressed facial expressions when the cameras lingered on him during the show.
Presenter Maya Jama announced that Mimii and Josh had received the highest percentage of public votes and will take home the £50,000 cash prize.
Mimii, 24, and Josh, 29, made Love Island history as the first black couple to win the show since the rebooted series began in 2015.
The pair made it to the final with Nicole Samuel and Ciaran Davies, Matilda Draper and Sean Stone and Jessica Spencer and Ayo Odukoya.
This comes after brand and culture expert Nick Ede said Joey came into the villa as a fan favourite as people loved having a familiar face on the show.
But Nick told MailOnline that the situation “backfired” on Joey as it exposed his “nasty, rude and arrogant” actions.
“The star has now tarnished himself and his brand by being so ‘messy’ on the show,” Nick said. “He’s messed things up and the narrative he’s created isn’t working and the show isn’t working for him.”
“The Love Island people are upset with him, the viewers are upset with him and it’s backfired. I think this will kill his career.”
However, it is now reported that Joey is set to earn a whopping £250,000 from a clubbing tour following his exit from Love Island.
Despite failing to make it to the final, Joey, who is already worth £8m, could have the last laugh and walk away with a quarter of a million if he goes on a club tour.
Despite being controversial throughout the series, it is now reported that Joey will earn a whopping £250,000 from a club tour following his exit from Love Island.
On Monday, presenter Maya Jama announced that Mimii and Josh had won the series and will take home the £50,000 cash prize.
Sun reports that his team has a series of dates scheduled in the UK for £6,000 an hour where fans can take selfies and have fun with the star.
This comes after it was revealed at the start of this year’s series of Love Island that she was not being paid more to be on the show than the other contestants, which works out to around £375 a week.
The £375 a week to appear on the show is to cover the Islanders’ rent and bills at home while they are away, and Joey was paid the same as everyone else.
A TV source told MailOnline at the time: ‘Joey is being treated like any other Love Island contestant, he is playing by the same rules and will not receive any preferential treatment.
‘She has not been paid any appearance fee or any money for signing up for the show, not one cent.
‘Love Island is all about exposure and for Joey, it means more than that too… He’s looking for someone to settle down with so it’s not about the money he can make on the other side.’
But she could become one of the richest reality stars in the country with her new series of club appearances.
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Joey for comment.
