TOWIE star Joey Essex is to be the first celebrity Ambassador for Child Bereavement UK.

The charity supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.

Joey, whose mum died when he was ten, said: "It was really hard when my mum died, so I'm very happy to help Child Bereavement UK, so they can support other kids, and parents like my dad, who are going through what we went through."

Joey met some of Child Bereavement UK’s young people at its fundraising Onesie Walk in Brentwood earlier this year. He added: “It was great to meet some other young people who know what it’s like to experience the death of your mum or dad at a young age.

“I never found it easy to talk about it when my mum died. I was only a kid – it’s a unique experience and people don’t really understand what it’s like at such a young age.”

Ann Chalmers, Chief Executive of Child Bereavement UK said: “The young people we support have told us that it means a lot to them to have someone like Joey speak openly about what it has been like for him after the death of his mum.

“I’m delighted Joey has agreed to become an Ambassador for Child Bereavement UK – he has a natural ability to relate to people and will make a brilliant spokesperson for bereaved young people.”

To watch a short film of Joey Essex at the Onesie Walk go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOhhKJHOJs8&feature=youtu.be