The Only Way Is Essex stars have hit back at Victoria Beckham for dissing her home county.

The designer formerly known as Posh Spice was born in Essex, but made a comment at a recent fashion event that, “It’s not a very nice place”.

Former Towie star Joey Essex told The Sun: “I can’t believe Posh Spice has slagged us off – she is one of us, she should be proud to be from Essex.

Joey Essex
Joey Essex (Yui Mok/PA)

“I haven’t got a clue what Posh Spice is going on about when she says our home is not very nice. I can’t believe Posh would want to forget her Essex roots.”

Lauren Pope (Ian West/PA)
Lauren Pope (Ian West/PA)

Lauren Pope said: “Posh was a hero of mine growing up, so I was disappointed. I grew up in Devon but fell in love with Essex when I moved to Chigwell eight years ago – Essex people are nice and welcoming.”

Jasmin Walia (Ian West/PA)
Jasmin Walia (Ian West/PA)

And Jasmin Walia told the Sunday People: “It’s a bit sad that she’s trying to forget her roots. When I read what she said, I was shocked.

“She’s a local girl done good. She should be proud to have come from there and made it.”

When Spice Girl Victoria was introduced as being from Essex at a fashion event in New York last week she said: “I’d like to forget the Essex bit. It’s not a very nice place.”

But she has since tried to play down the comment with an Instagram post saying she is proud of her roots.