CELEBRITY Big Brother's Ella Rae Wise's close pals Junaid Ahmed and Joe Blackman have revealed the truth behind her “feud” with Chris Hughes.
ITV viewers were quick to hit out at , 24, for being jealous of ‘s Chris and star ‘s close friendship.
Some fans have even said that Ella was hoping to boost her chances of staying in the house by having a CBB romance with Chris.
But Towie's Junaid and Joe have insisted that Ella is not envious of JoJo and is actually gutted to not be part of Chris and JoJo ‘s close friendship, especially with them being the younger housemates.
The stars explained that Ella thrives on being a social butterfly and being around her friends – saying she must be feeling “isolated”.
Speaking exclusively to Flying Eze, Joe said: “I know Ella and I don't think she fancies Chris, but Ella likes to know where she stands with people – I think she expected to go in and probably bond with Chris because they are similar ages and I think Ella probably feels a bit left out from her age group which can be hard – it would be hard for anyone
“We know Ella and I don't think she's being nasty, she's being herself and sometimes you've got to say to make yourself feel better.
“I don't think she's jealous at all, Ella's not the jealous type, I don't think she looks at Chris like that.”
While they also insisted that Ella does not fancy Chris and had no plan on having a CBB romance, despite ex being “blindsided” by the split.
Joe said: “I don't think Ella is the type of girl to jump from person to person. She's just broken up from Dan, so her heart is still healing.
“I don't think she had the intention of going into the house to get with Chris.
“Unfortunately I don't think there is that connection with Chris and Ella, but they might be friends by the end of the series – I'd like to see them talk a little bit more.
“It would we nice to try and get to know her, you're never going to know if there is a type of connection with someone unless you genuinely speak to them and get to know that person – from what I've seen, Chris hasn't even asked her what she does day to day.
“We've only sort of seen him dig her out.
“I think from Chris' side, he's not given her the time of day, maybe he's a little bit wrapped up with JoJo, he's found a friendship with her and maybe he feels he doesn't need anymore friends.”
While the reality favourites have suggested that TV Chris could be “playing a game” by sticking closely to US star JoJo.
Junaid said: “Chris said before he went into the house that Ella is an unreal girl, so I don't know if Chris has a game plan because JoJo is more popular.”
Defending their good pal, Joe said: “I can definitely say Ella is not playing a game, she's being 100 per cent herself.”
ITV viewers have slammed Ella for being catty in recent episodes, but her Towie pals have said that the blonde bombshell is not a “b****”.
They said: “Ella's got a massive heart, the last thing she would want to do is go in there and have arguments.
“Ella is a chilled out girl, if she was going in there trying to be the loudest girl in the room, everyone at home would know that's not real either.
“She's being her absolute self, she's calling people out when she feels like they're wrong.”
Addressing when Ella and some of the housemates secretly ate JoJo's popcorn in the store room, they said: “It was funny, we're from Essex, we can be catty. I would have done the same, especially if there is one bag of popcorn, JoJo should have got her popcorn quicker.”
Junaid and Joe admitted that Ella and JoJo could have an incredible friendship if they took Chris out of the picture.
They told us: “I think it's making Ella feel awkward, she's said it to us many times ‘don't isolate yourself', when people do isolate themselves, it does become very hard for people to have a normal conversation because you don't know where you stand.
“I think Ella needs to take herself out of her comfort zone and just go and talk to them both and see how she feels.”
Junaid said: “We're supporting Ella all the way, she's probably getting a bit of s*** at the minute but we are rooting for her. She's being true to herself and we're proud of her. We'd love to see Ella win.
“She's probably missing her mum, her come comforts, we feel for her. She loves her pink palace at home.
“I think Ella's the kind of girl who talks to her friends everyday, I think not having her closest people around her is hard for her.”
Just a week before entering the house, Ella revealed she and Towie co-star Dan Edgar had split.
Viewers saw Ella break down in tears as she explained that she had tried to make the relationship work but said she couldn't change her ex.
Joe admitted: “I'm hopeful I would like to see them [Ella and Dan] sort out their differences and get back together, but sometimes it's just not meant to be and you've got to respect each others space.
Joe and Junaid also insisted that Ella did not split the Dancing On Ice hunk for a showmance with CBB's Chris.
They said: “Ella's not that kind of girl, she's not going to break up with someone to better her career.
“She was crying in the house, you could see her heart was breaking. She loved Dan.
“I think once they've had time to heal, they'll be able to sort out their differences and get on.”
Dividing fans
Viewers had already accused.
Their cruel antics came after they were left wound up by JoJo and Chris.
JoJo and Chris were punished byfor writing secret messages to each other – and were told they had to use a megaphone to speak on theITVseries.
The move angered their fellow contestants, with Ella fuming: “I told you they've been having secret conversations.”
