Joey Essex

Joey Essex

Joey Essex and Ashley Roberts have sparked speculation they could get together after flirting while training for 'The Jump'.

The former 'TOWIE' star and the ex-Pussycat Doll are said to have hit it off while practicing for the Channel 4 winter sports reality TV series and rumours are rife that the pair might embark on a relationship as they are both said to "really fancy each other".

An insider said: "There is an obvious connection between Joey and Ashley, who both really fancy each other. They're both up for a laugh and don't take life too seriously.

"Joey likes a blonde and Ashley ticks all the right boxes. Plus they've both got their 'I'm A Celebrity' jungle experience, which they share, despite having been in the show on different years."

The 24-year-old reality TV star is said to have been a "rock" for blonde beauty Ashley, 33, after helping her out a lot while the pair have been learning the various sports required in the show including bobsleigh, speed skating and ski jumping.

The insider added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Ashley has found parts of the training difficult and Joey has been helping her. He has been her rock."

What's more, there has already been on-screen evidence of Joey's flirting with Ashley as when the pair presented a prize at the British Comedy Awards earlier this month the hunk - who was previously engaged to his former 'TOWIE' co-star Sam Faiers - joked he had "pulled" the stunner.

When asked by host Jonathan Ross how training for 'The Jump' was going, Joey replied: "Well, I've pulled myself a pussycat."

Joey and Ashley will be joined on the show, which starts filming in Austria at the end of January, by singer-turned-farmer J.B. Gill, Made in Chelsea's Louise Thompson, former England rugby captain Mike Tindall, 'Jackass' star Steve-O and former 'Celebrity Big Brother' contestant Sally Bercow among others.