FORMER reality TV star Joey Essex will be joining bingo players in Redditch in a bid to encourage younger people to take up the game.

Shipleys Bingo Club in the town centre will be playing host to the TV star, best known for the hit TV show The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) as well as Tom Daley’s Splash! and I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, when he dines with 22 very lucky bingo players on Saturday, April 12.

Joey, credited for popularising the use of the word 'reem' and the phrase 'creepy sick', was introduced in the second series of TOWIE as the cousin of Chloe Simms.

He is known for whipping out chat up lines like ‘do you fancy me?’ and suffering for fashion, even going so far as to wear shoes two sizes too small because he doesn't want people to think he has big feet.

Club members can win a place at the dining table with Joey by taking part in a series of special bingo games from March 14.

A Shipleys spokesman said that the club is trying to raise its profile as well as spread the message that bingo is fun.

The main Come Dine With Me style event will see 22 people enjoy a luxury experience with the very best food in the VIP area.

People will also have the opportunity to have their photo taken with Joey, who is going to call a game of bingo on the night and the winners of that game will also win a place at the table.

Club members aged 18 and over will be able to win a place at the play offs in the four weeks leading up to the event.

For more information about how to get involved, visit shipleysluxurybingo.com/redditch.