JOEY Essex showed his vulnerable side after a Love Island reunion with his nan Linda and sister Frankie left the trio blubbering in the villa.
Yet they weren't the only Towie stalwarts to shed a tear as the emotional scenes played out.
Demi Sims, 27 - who is Joey's younger cousin - watched the scenes unfold at home and was equally touched.
She took to her Instagram Stories to upload an image, taken from her telly, showing Joey embracing his loved ones in a hug.
The farewell embrace came after Frankie told the hunk how their late mother would be "proud" of him, and how their "daddy" was watching on from home.
Demi posted the emotional caption which read: "Watching my family on TV like this making me cry damn.
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"The cutest."
She then tagged both laughing and crying Emojis to round off her post.
In another slide, she confessed: "Gonna squeeze Joey when he gets out."
She added: "So lovely to watch.
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"I've looked forward to this all day."
After his family time, things got a little trickier for Joey as he came face to face with show partner Jessy Potts' parents.
Love Island fans slam Grace's dad over 'confrontation' with Joey amid 'bullying' row
Jessy's straight-talking dad Matthew was eager to flag how special Jessy is, while her mum Julie took him to task about his conduct with his villa ex Grace Jackson, 25.
The exchange left fans convinced Jessy's loved ones - particularly her mum - don't like the reality TV star at all.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans were all in agreement about Julie's feelings towards her daughter's fling.
Love Island line-up 2024
Love Island is back on the box with a batch of sexy islanders all looking for love this summer.
The Girls
- Mimii Ngulube - Student nurse Mimii Ngulube has swapped Portsmouth for Majorca.
- Nicole Samuel - Account manager and former champion dancer Nicole Samuel is a 2024 Islander.
- Jessica Spender - Casa Amor stunner Jess is a fashion designer.
- Grace Jackson - Joey Essex's ex and model Grace Jackson entered as a bombshell.
- Matilda Draper - Christian Matilda Draper has a Bible text tattoo
- Jessy Potts - Brand Partnerships Associate Jessy Potts entered as a bombshell
The Boys
- Reuben Collins - Bombshell Reuben Collins is a semi-pro footballer.
- Joshua Oyinsan - 6 foot 5 hunk Joshua Oyinsan has worked as Paul Pogba's body double.
- Joey Essex - Towie legend and reality star OG Joey Essex was a surprise bombshell.
- Ciaran Davies - Welsh rugby hunk Ciaran Davies is in the plush villa.
- Sean Stone - Sean Stone runs a sweet firm and is hoping he is just as sweet with the ladies.
- Ayo Odukoya - Ayo Odukoya is a footballer and former model.
- Konnor Ewudzi - Model and rugby player Konnor Ewudzi entered as a bombshell in June.
Dumped:
- Harry Baker - 6’4 tattooed hunk Harry Baker time on the show was cut brutally short.
- Lola Deluca - Model Lola Deluca set her sights on Joey Essex but was dumped after less than a week.
- Konnor Ewudzi - Model and rugby player Konnor Ewudzi entered as a bombshell in June and was dumped on July 17.
- Lolly Hart - Air hostess Lolly Hart's time in the villa was short but sweet after she was dumped after less than a week.
- Jess White - Shop manager Jess White from Stockport was dumped in week six along with three others.
- Hugo Godfroy - Casa Amor hunk Hugo Godfroy is an electrician who was evicted in week six.
- Emma Milton - Casa Amor bombshell Emma Milton left along with Jess and Hugo.
- Blade Siddiqi - Casa Amor bombshell Blade Siddiqi was also dumped in week six.
- Wil Anderson - Bombshell Wil Anderson was dumped in week six.
- Ellie Jackson - Casa Amor girl Ellie Jackson didn't last long
- Trey Norman - Insurance Broker Trey Norman.
- Casa Amor girls - Lucy Graybill, Ruby Dale and Diamanté Laiva,
- Casa Amor boys - Lionel Awundu, Moziah Pinder, Jake Spivey and Joel Kirby.
- Harriett Blackmore - Harriet Blackmore is good pals with YouTuber Saffron Barker.
- Ronnie Vint - Ronnie Vint - who is best mates with Olivia Attwood's hubby Bradley Dack - left with Harriett.
- Omar Nyame - PE Teacher Omar Nyame left along with Tiffany after being voted off by his fellow islanders.
- Tiffany Leighton - Week four saw HR Coordinator Tiffany Leighton leave the island.
- Samantha Kenny - Liverpool lass Samantha Kenny, 27, was fourth to exit the villa.
- Munveer Jabbal - Londoner Munveer Jabbal was dumped from the island on Day 10.
- Patsy Field - The Sun revealed how Love Island had signed stunning Patsy Field, who is an influencer with a disability, but she too exited on Day 10.
- Sam Taylor - Hairdresser Sam Taylor was first to go after Joey Essex stole his girl.
Quit:
- Uma Jammeh - VIP host and model Uma Jammeh entered the villa as a bombshell but quit the show after her man Wil was dumped.
One viewer wrote: "Jessy’s mum HATES Joey!"
Another added: "Jessy’s mum is not a fan of Joey. She don’t like him!"
Yet the drama didn't stop there for the cheeky chap.
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As he wandered around the villa while Grace was reunited with her parents, the model's dad called him over for a chat.
The awkward meeting played out just hours after fans had accused Joey of "bullying" the blonde bombshell.
