Towie's Joey Essex meets fans in Southend (From Echo)

Towie's Joey Essex meets fans in Southend

7:00am Wednesday 19th December 2012 in Local News By David Trayner

HUNDREDS of teenage Towie fans queued for up to five hours for a few “reem" seconds with heartthrob Joey Essex as he signed calendars in Southend.

A line of more than 500 delirious girls stretched out of the Calendar Club in the Royals Shopping Centre, where the reality star was meeting fans on Sunday, out of the centre and down High Street to Pier Hill.

Speaking to the Echo, Mr Essex, who got through five pens signing his 2013 calendar, said: “It’s really, really good to be here. It’s lovely to see so many fans.”

Some of braver girls managed to steal a kiss or a hug from the nightclub promoter, but many, overcome by emotion, lost their voices or burst into tears.

Hannah Apperly, 13, of Croft Close, Leigh, who made her friends “well jel” by getting a kiss, said: “I nearly died.”

Her pal Chantelle Byart, 14, of Mayflower Close, Southend, said: “I’m so excited. I’m a massive fan.”

First in the queue were sisters Elle and Robyn Nash, whose parents had dropped them off from Waltham Abbey at 8am.

Elle, who was missing her 14th birthday to meet her idol, said: “I’m very excited. I’m a big fan.”

Her 18-year-old sister said: “I’m speechless. I watch the show all the time.”

The diminutive star stayed for more than two hours meeting fans.

Writing on micro-blogging website Twitter after the signing, Joey said: “My pen was running out today at the calendar signing! Lol I had five and they all run[sic] out.

“Nice to meet you all today. Love my fans there was around 500 of you!? Thank you! Your[sic] all CREEPY SICK!”