Joey Essex is reportedly back on the dating scene, having joined the celebrity dating app Raya following a quiet split from his model girlfriend, Lella Soper. The couple was first linked last year, but Essex, 36, has now turned to the exclusive app to find a new partner.
Soper, 32, is the daughter of British former racing driver Steve Soper and works as a photographer, focusing on portraiture, editorial, and fashion. She has a following of over 9,000 on Instagram.
Essex has previously expressed a desire to settle down and start a family. His profile on Raya, as obtained by The Sun, indicates he is based in London but frequently travels to Los Angeles. His profile description is "Life On Earth," and one image shows him beneath the Avenue of Stars sign in LA.
This relationship follows Essex's split from Love Island girlfriend Jessy Potts in September 2025, just seven weeks after they left the villa. He was also seen with an unidentified woman in Ibiza in May 2025.
In addition to his personal life, Essex has been active in other endeavors. He pursued a career in boxing, winning his debut Misfits fight against Portuguese prankster Numeiro on points. He is also slated to appear in the ITV celebrity entertainment show "The Box" and was part of the cast for "Cooking With the Stars" in 2026.
Essex's most notable past relationship was with his "The Only Way Is Essex" co-star Sam Faiers. They were engaged twice during their on-off relationship from 2011 to 2014.
