There’s a new love story taking centre stage in Essex as The Only Way Is Essex stars Junaid Ahmed and Joe Blackman have announced their engagement following a romantic beach proposal during the cast’s trip to Albania.
The couple, both 31, celebrated the milestone with fellow cast members after Junaid got down on one knee at sunset in a picture-perfect moment by the sea. Friends including Ella Rae Wise and Lauren Goodger were on hand to share in the celebrations as the newly engaged pair toasted their future together.
For Junaid, the proposal marked far more than just an engagement. It represented a deeply personal journey and a dream he once feared might never become reality.
Speaking about the emotional moment, he said: “Never in a million years did I think I was going to get my happily ever after. Being Gay and Muslim this is the fairytale I’ve always wanted.”
Junaid also opened up about the challenges he has faced, revealing that while he may not have received acceptance from his family, he has found a new sense of belonging through Joe and his loved ones.
He said: “I may not have my families acceptance but I have my new family in Joe and his family. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I’m on cloud nine.”
Reflecting on their relationship, he added: “I’m settled in who I am and the best version of me and Joe has shown me what real love feels like.”
The engagement comes after a dramatic chapter in the couple’s history. Their romance began shortly after Joe’s highly publicised split from fellow TOWIE star Harry Derbidge in 2024.
Joe and Harry had previously appeared inseparable and had even spoken publicly about marriage and starting a family together. At one stage, Harry described Joe as the person he expected to spend the rest of his life with.
Speaking about their future plans at the time, Harry said: “He has moved in and we live together now… it’s going really good. We talk about loads of things. We have planned our futures and I know that will be me forever.”
He also revealed their hopes of tying the knot and becoming parents, saying: “We want to have kids one day and get married.”
The relationship ultimately ended amid reports of tension involving messages exchanged between Joe and Junaid, leading to a fallout that dominated headlines among TOWIE fans.
In the years since, however, the former friends and partners have managed to repair their relationship. Recent episodes of the ITV reality series have even shown Harry, Joe and Junaid spending time together again, suggesting old wounds have largely healed.
Now, with a ring on his finger and wedding plans potentially on the horizon, Junaid says he is happier than ever. For the reality star, the engagement is not only the beginning of a new chapter with Joe but also the fulfilment of a dream he once thought was impossible.
