- Author, Riyah Collins
- Paper, BBC News
Joey Essex has become the first celebrity to enter the Love Island villa on the ITV dating reality show.
In a cliffhanger during Monday’s first episode, the 33-year-old actor was introduced as the series’ first bombshell.
Fans were divided over the revelation – some called it iconic, while others argued that the dating show should be for “normal people” and not celebrities.
But in an interview with The Sun newspaper, Joey said he signed up on his own and was not approached by the show’s producers.
Several major betting companies quickly backed him to win the series, which will be broadcast over the next eight weeks.
Who is Joey Essex?
Joey first made a name for himself in 2011 when he appeared on The Only Way is Essex (TOWIE).
He became known for his catchphrase “reem” – meaning “good” or “nice” – and his sometimes surprising lack of general knowledge.
Since then, he has appeared on several reality shows including Dancing on Ice, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and I’m A Celeb.
Love Island isn’t his first reality dating show – he’s previously appeared on Celebrity Ex on the Beach, Celebs Go Dating and its spin-off Celebs Go Dating: The Mansion.
When it comes to romance, Joey is rumored to have had some high-profile relationships, including with Rita Ora and former Love Islander Maura Higgins.
He has also been engaged twice to TOWIE co-star Sam Faiers, but told The Sun he is “extremely single” at the moment.
Image source, ITV/Shutterstock
Entering the villa in Mallorca, Joey said he was “king of Essex” and “ready to find [his] queen”.
“This isn’t my first rodeo,” he said. “Boys, you better watch out – I’m coming after your girls.”
Viewership numbers have been falling since the series’ heyday in 2017 to 2019 and the finale drew just over 1 million viewers, down from a peak of over 6 million in 2019.
The premiere of last year’s series was watched by 1.3 million people, but ITV says its viewing figures for the premiere of the new series have not yet been finalized.
‘Iconic’ bomb?
Former islanders have reacted to the announcement, including Kai Fagan, winner of last year’s winter edition, who called it “crazy”.
“Essex, first dates, celebrities go on dates, I’m a celebrity and now Love Island. This man has completed reality TV shows,” said Kai, who recently announced his engagement to Sanam Harrinanan, who he was involved with on his series.
Joshua Ritchie, who appeared on the show in 2015 and returned to All Stars earlier this year, said the villa lads had “zero chance” against Joey and “might as well call it a day”.
Eighth-grade Islander Tasha Ghouri seemed all for it, calling the bombshell announcement “iconic.”
Joey’s arrival wasn’t the new series’ only twist, with producers also confusing how the couples were married for the first time.
Instead of choosing who they found most attractive, the contestants ranked themselves based on who was more boyfriend/girlfriend.
They were then matched with the boy or girl who was placed in the same position as them.
The episode was also broadcast on ITV1, for the first time in the main summer edition of the programme.
However, for its second episode on Tuesday, it will return to ITV2 and ITVX, while ITV1 hosts a leadership debate between Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer.
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