Joey Essex packed on the PDA with girlfriend Lella Soper while on a romantic break in Ibiza, days after his Misfits boxing debut drew widespread attention online.
The 35-year-old former The Only Way Is Essex star was photographed sharing a kiss with Soper in the sea as the pair wrapped their arms around one another. Soper wore a black bikini and sunglasses, while Essex wore yellow swim shorts and a chunky gold chain as they laughed and walked arm in arm along the water.
Soper, who works as a photographer focusing on portraiture, editorial and fashion, is the daughter of British racing driver Steve Soper and has built a social media presence of roughly 9,000 followers. The pair had previously been linked in May when Essex was pictured kissing a mystery woman at the ME Hotel in Ibiza.
Essex’s appearance in Ibiza follows a brief, highly publicized foray into boxing. Last month he made his Misfits debut in Manchester against Portuguese social media personality Numeiro. The four-round contest ended in a split decision that awarded Essex the victory: two judges scored for him and a third ruled a draw.
The fight, in which Essex was coached by his uncle Tony Sims, was marked by swinging exchanges, visible cuts and a swelling black eye for Essex. At one point he received a standing count and appeared to stagger late in the contest before the final bell. Footage of the bout circulated widely on social media, drawing mixed reaction from viewers.
Some commentators called the fight entertaining but poor in technical quality. One social media user wrote that the match was simultaneously "the best and worst thing I've ever seen," while another called it "absolutely atrocious." Others praised the spectacle and suggested a rematch. When Essex’s victory was announced, he collapsed to the canvas and was met with cheers from the crowd.
Essex has returned intermittently to reality television in recent years, including an appearance on season 11 of Love Island. He split from his Love Island partner Jessy Potts last September, the pair said they had "tried to make their relationship work" after leaving the villa. Prior to his Misfits appearance, Essex had been linked to a proposed card in Qatar that would have included a bout with Deji, but that matchup did not materialize.
On Ibiza, Essex and Soper appeared relaxed and affectionate, enjoying sun and sea following the intensity of his recent training and fight. Neither Essex nor Soper issued public comments about their relationship or the boxing bout while photographed on the trip.