pic: Centrale Shopping Centre

Joey Essex, reality TV star from The Only Way is Essex, opened a Grown-up Grotto in Croydon’s Centrale Shopping Centre on Saturday.

Before his appearance in Croydon, a plethora of teenage girls surrounded the stage of the Grown-up Grotto, due to open at 1pm.

Some of the frenzied females had been there since 9am, and when the host asked them what they wanted for Christmas, they responded with deafening screams and chanted “Joey Essex”.

Following the event, EastLondonLines spoke to the 21-year-old about his plans for Christmas, his relationship with co-star Jessica Wright and the TOWIE Christmas single.

He said: “I’m hoping for a car, a house and for a special girl to spend next year with. I spend the morning opening my presents from under the tree with family and then go round to my mates’ house in the afternoon.”

Speaking about his own love life, Essex said: “I would like to have someone special to spend Christmas with and spoil with presents, but I’m running out of time to find her.

“I don’t know if anything will happen between me and Jess because she is in Australia at the moment supporting Mark in the jungle.”

The cast of TOWIE will release a cover of Last Christmas, originally by Wham!, on December 18. Proceeds will be donated to six charities, including Carers UK, Crisis UK, Samaritans and Help the Hospices. They will be competing against the X-Factor winner for the Christmas number one.

Essex said: “Doing the Christmas single was really fun and I think we will do well. I think if Little Mix win the X Factor I will probably buy their single. I think their great and I have been supporting them all along.”