Mark Wright stunned ‘mad’ throwback photo of Joey Essex’s lookalike dad isn’t his pal as he calls father-son duo ‘twins’
MARK Wright has been left left stunned by a "mad" throwback photo of Joey Essex's lookalike dad, calling the father-son duo "twins".
The Heart Radio star, 34, was baffled by Joey and his dad's striking resemblance in the sweet Father's Day post.
Joey, 30, had shared a heartwarming message as he praised his dad for shaping him into the man he is today.
Alongside the poignant caption, Joey shared a black and white throwback snap of his dad Donny in a boxing ring.
Joey wrote: "I wouldn’t be the man I was today without you Dad. Thanks for teaching me respect, manners and to be brave.
"Happy Father’s Day to all the best dads out there and all the mums being dad 💫."
Donald "Donny" Essex, who is the father of reality stars Joey and Frankie, is an ex-boxer.
Donny was left to take care of his two children alone after their mum Tina's tragic death.
Mark was flabbergasted by the similarities and couldn't believe it wasn't a pic of Joey, commenting: "How this isn't you is mad. Twins."
Another fan agreed, commenting: "Wow that first pic could be you."
A third added: "Your dad's twin. Happy Father's Day Don."
Joey recently opened up about his strong bond with his dad in his BBC Three documentary, after losing his mum as a child.
Tina tragically took her own life when Joey was just 10 years old, with his father initially telling his kids that their mum had fallen and tragically died.
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Speaking on Donny's resilience during his childhood, Joey previously shared: "My dad has been through all of it.
"After my mum passed away, my dad brought me and my sister Frankie up alone and it must have been really tough for him.
"But he’s the first person I call when I’m upset. It doesn’t matter where he is, he’ll always answer the phone."