Joey Essex ‘confirms’ relationship with Vanessa Bauer while Holly and Phil come under fire for questioning

Joey Essex apparently confirmed dating rumors with Vanessa Bauer during Sunday’s Dancing On Ice show, after being questioned by hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.

However, the presenters were later criticized by viewers for being “totally inappropriate”, “disrespectful” and leaving Vanessa visibly “uncomfortable”.

Phil, 60, tried to persuade the former TOWIE star, 32, and his professional partner, 26, to reveal whether or not they were a couple, before Holly, 41, announced the couple as ‘Joey Essex and his real-life slash-skater partner Vanessa’.

It comes after Sun reported that Joey and Vanessa had been “super flirtatious” during rehearsals, before the pair closed on claims of a relationship.

During the latest installment, in which they dressed up as the main characters from Grease, Holly said: “You guys are like real life Sandy and Danny, do you two have anything to say to us?”

Joey cheekily replied, “Danny and Sandy get along pretty well, if you know what I mean,” before Holly asked if they were “going cool.”

The reality star replied, “Of course, always constant,” while Vanessa looked mortified.

When Phillip pressed, ‘Are you confirming this?’ Joey said, “I’m not confirming anything,” as he held up his hands.

Viewers soon wrote on Twitter: “As someone who works in TV, it’s quite disappointing to see DOI encouraging speculation about a partnership that is more, he should stay alone and be among them if that’s the case, should be more respectful #DancingOnIce” .

“It was very uncomfortable to watch, especially for the professional, who has trained hard to be where she is.

‘And @hollywills is no inexperienced presenter… ‘Are Sandy & Danny stable?’ Totally inappropriate. I felt sorry for Vanessa. Joey has a big ego, so he’ll be fine.

‘Totally agree. Why it is relevant or someone’s business, I don’t know. And maybe they are very good at acting.

“I feel like Vanessa couldn’t seem more uncomfortable when everyone is talking about her and Joey’s relationship, and it really has nothing to do with how well they skate? #DancingOnIce.

“So unprofessional from Schofield and Willoughby the comments that they pair up with Joey Essex and Vanessa #doi #dancingonice.

‘She seemed really uncomfortable, bless her.’

Joey’s ex-girlfriend, Lorena Medina, recently claimed that they have been exchanging “romantic” messages after Vanessa Bauer shut down rumors of an affair with him.

The 30-year-old model said they are still in touch and claimed Joey told her he “always” thinks of her.

Now, Lorena has claimed that Joey told her he hasn’t had a “hookup” with anyone since their romance, but geography has proven to be an obstacle for them.

She said Sun: ‘We’ve been talking a bit romantically, Joey told me that he always thinks of me.

“He said he hasn’t been able to find that connection to anyone since me and I said, ‘Me too. I haven’t found it yet either,’ and Joey said, ‘Well, if you come to London, I’ll come see you.”

“We both know the attraction is there, the constant love is still there, but I’m in different countries working on my singing career and he’s in England.”

Joey and Lorena enjoyed a whirlwind romance for a few months in 2020 before she broke up with him after he had a 24-hour party session with Rita Ora and her friends.

Lorena said they hadn’t spoken until seven months ago, when she called him during a drunken night in Columbia, and they’ve been in touch ever since.

MailOnline contacted Joey’s representatives for comment at the time.

It comes after both Vanessa and Joey have downplayed rumors of a blossoming romance between them while competing on Dancing On Ice together.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain earlier this week, he said: ‘I’m single, Vanessa’s bachelor. We go on the ice every day, it’s cold, you know what I mean?

We have to keep each other warm! But yes, everything is fine.

Meanwhile, Vanessa admitted they’re having “a lot of fun” but shut down rumors of a romance between her and Joey.

Despite showing up closely on social media and being subjected to a wave of romance rumors in recent months, she confirmed that they are simply “just skating buddies.”

speaking to Sun At the Elf The Musical press night in London, Vanessa was asked if there was any truth to rumors of a blossoming relationship between her and Joey.

“We’re just skating buddies,” he said firmly, while giving the same answer to any possibility of romance in the future.

Vanessa’s comments came after reports that she and Joey have been getting close and are reportedly “super flirty.”

Rumors began to surface after Joey was seen sharing a kiss with Love Island’s Maura Higgins during this year’s National Television Awards.

said a source Sun: ‘Joey and Vanessa have become incredibly close.

“Right now they’ve managed to keep everything professional, but it’s safe to say they’re both super flirty.

“They’ll be spending a lot of time together over the next few months due to rehearsals, so it’s easy to see how romance could blossom.”