Now's new celebrity columnistJoey Essex didn't do well at school - but he always had big dreams.
'I wanted to be an actor or a chef when l was little,' the TOWIE star tells us.
'When I was 5 Mum suggested I become a chef because I liked cooking. But when my teachers asked me: ‘Do you want to do a food GCSE?' I said: ‘Nah, I'm OK!'
Sadly, 21-year-old Joey's mum passed away when he was 10.
'I ended up repeating a year at school because I got behind,' he says.
'I didn't mind - I wanted to do well and my dad was great about it all.
'I left school with two GCSEs. I got a C in art and a D in wood tech. I should've got a good grade in drama but I was caught copying another kid's coursework and got a U.
'I'm not going to lie - I wasn't the best boy ever, but I wasn't the naughtiest kid either.'
Read the full story about Joey Essex in Now magazine dated 26 September 2011 - out now!
SEE PICTURES The Only Way Is Essex's Mark Wright promotes the show's vajazzle kit>>
PICTURES The Only Way Is Essex stars Mark Wright and Lauren Goodger celebrate their engagement
SEE PICTURES The Only Way Is Essex - meet the cast>>
PHOTO GALLERY The Only Way Is Essex cast attend Legally Blonde party>>
PICTURES The Only Way Is Essex stars attend launch of Priscilla Parties>>
