Joey Essex has taken to Instagram to honour his late mum Tina with a heartfelt birthday tribute.
Alongside a photo of a young Joey and his mum laying on bed, he wrote: "It don’t get easier, but I do this all for you. I got nothing to prove to anyone but you mum. I’ll keep trying to make you proud.
"Smiling as much as possible. One day I’ll see you again anyway… happy birthday."
Joey, who recently took part in I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Australia, was flooded with messages of support from friends and family, who let him know that they are for him.
His sister Frankie wrote: "We love you mum."
Former TOWIE star Lydia Bright wrote: "Lots of love Joe."
TOWIE star Georgia Kousoulou wrote: "She is so proud of you Joey, you have achieved so much and you are amazing."
TV presenter Karim Zeroual wrote: "Love my bro."
Stars including TOWIE narrator Denise Van Outen, Frankie Sims, former TOWIE star Lauren Pope and pop star Pixie Lott shared heart emojis to support their friend.
Joey's mum Tina took her own life in 2001 when Joey was aged 10 and sister Frankie was aged 13.
Tina had been struggling with depression.
Last year, the family took part in a BBC documentary, Joey Essex: Grief and Me, which explored the impact of Tina's loss.
In the show, Joey saw a therapist and started facing his grief, admitting that he had avoided doing so for 20 years.
The programme was critically acclaimed and viewers praised the Essexes for raising awareness of the need to talk.
TOWIE star Frankie Essex pregnant with twins as she says brother Joey is 'excited'
A tearful Joey says in the documentary: “My mum loved me, but she left me. I just think to myself: If she loved me that much, why would she leave me?
“Imagine if I was with someone and I had kids with them and I really did love that person and then she left me. I wouldn’t know what to do.
"I’m already thinking we’re gonna break up before we’re together. I’m pushing it away.
“I know I need to change things now so I’ve decided to look for help.”
Joey Essex: Grief and Me is available on BBC iPlayer
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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