REALITY TV celebrity Joey Essex is to visit the North-East next month to help persuade young people into apprenticeships.

The “I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here” winner will speak at a free event in Gateshead aimed at people aged 16 to 24 who don’t want to go into further education.

Joey Essex Live, hosted by Gateshead Council Learning Skills will take place at The Lancastrian Suite, in Gateshead, on Saturday, August 23 from 11am.

As well as finding out more about what apprenticeships are available, young people will be able to talk face to face to employers, tutors and careers advisers.

The 23-year-old, who rose to fame in the series, The Only Way is Essex, will talk about the difficulties he faced growing up and his own education.

The event is free, but anyone who wants to attend must display a wristband available from 0191-433 8727 or by texting ‘joey’ to 84101.