TOWIE star Junaid Ahmed doubled down on his decision to pursue a romance with his best mate’s ex – insisting that Joe Blackman “one hundred per cent” feels the same.
The reality TV star has been cut off from his castmates after revealing his relationship with Harry Derbridge‘s ex.
Harry was dumped by his fiancé in emotional scenes that aired on the ITVbe show last month.
And Harry’s cousin, Towie legend Amy Childs, unfollowed Junaid on Instagram along with several of their co-stars after the sensational love triangle came to light.
Speaking at the premiere of Kids Like Us in London’s Leicester Square, Junaid acknowledged sparking the biggest love triangle in recent Towie history – and said his feelings for Joe are “100 per cent” reciprocated.
After breaking down in tears in Towie’s most recent episode, Junaid explained he had been consoling Joe in Cyrpus over splitting up with Harry when feelings grew.
Junaid told us: “I’m at the centre of the biggest love triangle Towie has probably ever had in years. But do you know what I went with my heart and I had to be honest and open.
“Harry was my friend, Harry was with Joe, and I was honest and open about my feelings with Joe.
“It was one of those things I had to go with my heart we were in Cyprus.”
Asked if Junaid had feelings for Joe prior to Cyprus, the star replied: “No it was definitely in Cyprus.
“But it was quite difficult because Harry and Joe were on the rocks. I was with Joe every day, I was supporting him, spending a lot of time with him.
“And as we were spending more time together I actually started developing feelings for him.
“I wasn’t the first person, and I’m not the last person, like I genuinely started having feelings for him and I was honest and open about it.”
Amy, 34, unfollowed Junaid along with Harry in a move of solidarity.
In retaliation, Junaid has also stopped following her, sparking a brand new feud.
Junaid told us: “It’s something I can’t say I didn’t expect, obviously Amy is Harry’s cousin, Amy is not going to have my back.
“She unfollowed me on social media, yeah quite a few of the cast have unfollowed me.
“And it is what it is at the end of the day, I genuinely don’t mean any harm to anyone on the cast I have only gone with my heart. I’m not the first person to do that and I’m not going to be the last.”
Junaid also urged the cast to show kindness, adding that he didn’t want to get involved in any drama online.
“I think we should be a bit nicer to each other,” he said.
TOWIE has been loaded with romantic complications since it hit screens in 2010.
Mark Wright, Lauren Goodger and Sam Faiers
Mark Wright, Lauren Goodger and Lucy Mecklenburgh
James ‘Arg’ Argent, Lydia Bright and Gemma Collins
Megan McKenna, Chloe Sims and Pete Wicks
Jake Hall, Chloe Lewis and Lauren Pope
Charlie Sims, Ferne McCann and Jasmin Walia
Chloe Sims, Amber Turner and Dan Edgar
Harry Lee, Frankie Sims and Chloe Brockett
Gemma Collins, Rami Hawash and James Argent
Shelby Tribble, Sam Mucklow and Tom McDonnell
“I’m not one to have social media spats with a cast member, it’s not that vibe for me. I’ve opened up my heart and soul this year.”
He also said he’d like to reconcile with Harry in the futue.
“I would like that, I don’t hold grudges against anyone,” Junaid told us.
“Obviously we are a big cast, we go away, I don’t like bad vibes.
“I would like to have peace with everyone. Whether people want that or not that’s their decision.”
Kids Like Us is available to stream on Sky from 12th September, premiere sponsored by pladis.
