Joey Essex splashed out £2,000 on a date with ex-girlfriend Sam Faiers while at a charity auction.
The reality TV star fuelled rumours of a reconciliation between the couple - who split after their short-lived engagement earlier this year - as he bid for a night out with the blonde beauty on Sunday night's (27.10.13) 'The Only Way is Essex' episode.
Despite facing stiff competition from her latest love interest Elliott Wright, Joey swept 22-year-old Sam off her feet by offering the hefty sum at the last minute and she said he was her "knight in shining armour."
Joey's well-timed gesture came shortly after Sam was overheard telling sister Billie Faiers she was keen to give the relationship another shot.
She said: "Since Joey came round the other day, we didn't speak for a bit. I really do want to make another go of things."
But 23-year-old Joey remained level-headed about rekindling their romance and admitted he wasn't worried about his love rival Elliot stealing Sam away.
Speaking to co-star Tom Pearce, he said: "Me and Sam have been texting a little bit. It's just so confusing, I think we're both happy being single at the moment and don't want to jump straight back into a relationship.
"And I've got Elliott on the scene, saying I'm a boy. But I'm Peter Pan and Sam's my Wendy ... and Elliott's Captain Hook."
It seems Sam was a popular choice at the charity event as her first ever boyfriend and show newcomer Lewis also admitted he "melts" whenever he sees his stunning ex.
He confessed: "I'm really confident in every part of my life but when I'm around Sam I'm like a bag of butter in a microwave, I just melt. I do have feelings for her, but she's got so much going on elsewhere.
"I don't want to throw another spanner in the works. But I'm going to bid for her so I can get some time on my own with her."
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