Love Island fans were left in stitches on Monday as Joey Essex claimed not being smart was a ‘gift’.
The former TOWIE star, 33, left viewers speechless last week as he entered the villa as the first bombshell of the series and the show’s first ever celebrity contestant.
He soon coupled up with Samantha Kenny, who has not been shy at showing how much she likes the reality star, with lots of knowledge about his time on TV.
In the latest episode, Samantha, 26, questioned Joey about his background in the public eye, asking if had bothered him that he was frequently branded ‘ditzy’.
Joey has built a reputation on not being intelligent, leaving school with just a U in Drama, a C in Art and a D in Wood Tech at GCSE and even had his own TV show called Re-Educating Joey Essex.
Love Island fans were left in stitches on Monday as Joey Essex claimed not being smart was a ‘gift’
The former TOWIE star, 33, left viewers speechless last week as he entered the villa as the first bombshell of the series and the show’s first ever celebrity contestant
He soon coupled up with Samantha Kenny, who has not been shy at showing how much she likes the reality star, with lots of knowledge about his time on TV
He has previously admitted that he doesn’t know how to tell the time or even blow his own nose.
And in Love Island Unseen Bits on Saturday, a clip saw the star shown being repeatedly unable to say ‘gravitate’ as he even admitted at one point: ‘I don’t even know what that word means?’
Asking Joey about whether he was bothered by his reputation as not smart, Samantha asked: ‘Did it bother you when you first came on the TV scene and they took the p*** out of you for being ditzy?’
But Joey responded by saying he knew he wasn’t intelligent and that he had never cared, admitting since he was a kid he hadn’t wanted to be clever.
He said: ‘Yeah but you gotta think, it was my persona but it was also true. I looked at it like a gift.
‘It’s who I am and it’s so good that I had that mentality and I knew myself. As a kid I knew I wasn’t clever. I didn’t think I want to be clever like everyone else – it didn’t affect me.
‘I’m going to try my best, I’m going to be the best I can be. And that’s exactly what I did. And that’s why when I talk to kids I always say all you can do is try your best.’
Viewers watching at home couldn’t help but find the conversation hilarious, taking to social media to voice their amusement at Joey’s admission.
In the latest episode, Samantha, 26, questioned Joey about his background in the public eye, asking if had bothered him that he was frequently branded ‘ditzy’
Joey has built a reputation on not being intelligent, leaving school with just a U in Drama, a C in Art and a D in Wood Tech at GCSE and even had his own TV show called Re-Educating Joey Essex (pictured on show)
He has previously admitted that he doesn’t know how to tell the time or even blow his own nose a clip from Unseen Bits saw him being repeatedly unable to say ‘gravitate’ as he even admitted at one point: ‘I don’t even know what that word means?”
But Joey said he knew he wasn’t intelligent and he had never cared, admitting since he was a kid he hadn’t wanted to be clever
They wrote: ‘Joey being proud of being a moron is so on brand; whys joey doing up motivational speaker rn?; No, Joey shouldn’t be talking to kids
‘the amount of reality tv shows joey’s been on even he knows he’s desperate; joey essex the bimbo bombshell; Joey made money off of playing dumb but he’s actually smart’.
‘did joey just… admit he chooses to be stupid?; Oh so joey actually isn’t smart I thought it was for TV loool’.
Elsewhere Joey also spoke about his family, praising his father Donald ‘Donny’ Essex and his sister Frankie.
His father brought him and Frankie up after their mother Tina tragically committed suicide in 2001 after battling depression in silence.
She was fighting an illness named candida prior to her passing, which gives sufferers symptoms including stomach issues, fatigue, joint pain and depression.
Joey told Samantha: ‘My dad always brought me up very well, to be kind, you know what I mean? That’s why I love my dad, he’s my hero.’
She then asked: ‘You’re dead close to your sister aren’t you?’
Viewers watching at home couldn’t help but find the conversation hilarious, taking to social media to voice their amusement at Joey’s admission
Joey admitted: ‘Yeah yeah, she looked after me my whole life. Since I was a kid, she looked at me like a little brother but really I’m not really that little. So protective.’
It comes as elsewhere in the episode, Samantha tried to gain clarity on her connection with Joey and questioned the motives of other girls’ after viewers claimed the star is ‘faking his feelings.’
She pulled him for a chat in the evening to discuss their blossoming relationship, fearing that he could have his head turned.
Samantha admitted that she doesn’t trust other girls’ motives when it comes to Joey, saying his fame means they will make a beeline for him.
She said: ‘I’m not being funny or nothing but you are Joey Essex so I know what girls are like, do you know what I mean.’
‘They’re going to go “Oh Joey Essex is in there so they’re going to be like, right, let’s get on Joey Essex.”‘
Unsure what to make of Samantha’s observation, Joey looked bemused as she insisted: ‘They are Joe, I’m not stupid.’
Elsewhere Joey also spoke about his family, praising his father Donald ‘Donny’ Essex and his sister Frankie (pictured)
His father brought him and Frankie up after their mother Tina tragically committed suicide in 2001 after battling depression in silence (Joey pictured with Donny)
She was fighting an illness named candida prior to her passing, which gives sufferers symptoms including stomach issues, fatigue, joint pain and depression (Joey and Frankie pictured with Tina)
Joey attempted to reassure Samantha by saying ‘If someone is with me for that reason, because I’m Joey Essex, that’s not for me, I promise you, that is not for me.’
But despite his attempt to reassure her, Samantha was still unsure of where she stands with him, replying: ‘Well what do you think about me, do you think I’m like that?’
Joey admitted that Samantha could be a bit intense, but insisted he would be turned off if someone came in just for his fame and not him as a person.
But fans are not convinced of his feelings for Samantha, and flocked to Twitter to brand her ‘delusional’ for thinking Joey is into her, and warning him to ‘run’ as she was his ‘biggest fan’.
It comes as elsewhere in the episode, Samantha tried to gain clarity on her connection with Joey and questioned the motives of other girls’ after viewers claimed the star is ‘faking his feelings’
Samantha admitted that she doesn’t trust other girls’ motives when it comes to Joey, saying his fame means they will make a beeline for him
LOVE ISLAND 2024: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
NAME: Mimii Ngulube
AGE: 24
FROM: Portsmouth
OCCUPATION: Mental Health Nurse
WHY LOVE ISLAND? The pool in Portsmouth is not giving. I’ve tried dating, speaking to people on social media and it just hasn’t been successful. Applying was a spontaneous thing, I didn’t expect to get here!
WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE VILLA? My girls are my rocks and I’m theirs so I’ll be a good friend as well as going in there to find a man. I like dressing up so I’ll bring style, and I’d like to think I’m quite funny so I’ll make people laugh. Bringing honesty as well – I’m good at picking up on people’s personality traits and side-eyeing those who might be a liar.
NAME: Patsy Field
AGE: 29
FROM: Orpington
OCCUPATION: Office Administrator
WHAT DO YOU WANT THE ISLANDERS TO KNOW? I’ve got something very special about me which is my disability, it’s a condition I was born with called Ebs Palsy. It doesn’t define who I am , but it makes me a little different, although I’ve learnt to get on with it and it’s never held me back.
HOW WOULD FRIENDS/FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU? My friends would say that I’m the loudest person in the group, I’m the one who’s always up for doing a dare, the life and soul of the party. My family would say that I’m bossy and that it’s always my way or the highway, they’d say I rule the roost.
NAME: Sean Stone
AGE: 24
FROM: Hertford
OCCUPATION: Sweet Salesman
WHY LOVE ISLAND? I’ve always been one for relationships and when you have found someone you want to be with it’s the best feeling. Now is the perfect time, the one thing that is missing is my soulmate.
HOW WOULD FRIENDS/FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU? Very loving, caring and thoughtful. I’m the kind of guy that if you broke down on the motorway and needed your tyre changed, I’d be there at any time of night.
NAME: Harriett Blackmore
AGE: 24
FROM: Brighton
OCCUPATION: Dancer & Personal Shopper
WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE VILLA? I’ll bring the entertainment for everyone in the Villa, whether that’s making the girls laugh or making the boys turn their heads, I’m sure that I’ll bring the drama.
CLAIM T0 FAME? Being a bit of an IT girl in Brighton, I’ve done personal shopping for the rapper Arrdee and one of my best friends is Saffron Barker the YouTuber.
NAME: Ayo Odukoya
AGE: 25
FROM: Canning Town
OCCUPATION: Model
WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE VILLA? I think I’d bring excitement and joy. I think people would have someone to come to and talk to and feel comfortable being around or to have a laugh with. I think I’m somebody everyone would take to.
WHY SHOULD SOMEBODY DATE YOU? I feel like the way I carry myself is very respectful and I think people take to that and once you show who you are to somebody you get it back tenfold. The way I am gives off a good enough energy for people to feel comfortable around me.
NAME: Samantha Kenny
AGE: 26
FROM: Liverpool
OCCUPATION: Makeup Artist
WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE VILLA? I think I will definitely bring some fire, I’m very opinionated and wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m really bubbly too so I’ll definitely have a laugh as well as bringing some scouse glamour.WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? I don’t get out enough, I work weekends and tend to not go out in Liverpool anymore. If I want a night out I go down to London as I love the boys down south. Tall, dark and cockney is my type.
NAME: Munveer Jabbal
AGE: 30
FROM: Surbiton, Surrey
OCCUPATION: Recruitment Manager
WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? I haven’t found the right girl, I’m quite picky and have high standards. Dating in London is horrible. You don’t know who’s single… but now you’re putting me in a place where everyone’s single so there’s no issues around that. CLAIM T0 FAME? I’m mates with Spencer Morgan (Piers Morgan’s son). We met when I moved to Fulham in 2018.
NAME: Nicole Samuel
AGE: 24
FROM: Aberdare, Wales
OCCUPATION: Accounts Manager
WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? I’ve been enjoying single life and the attention of different boys, it’s fun. I’ve enjoyed being able to go on holiday with the girls and not having to worry about someone back home. All the girls are there texting in their room and I’m out till 4 in the morning living my best life.
WHAT IS SOMETHING NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU? I became a world champion dancer in 2011, not many people know that. I was a professional street dancer.
NAME: Ronnie Vint
AGE: 27
FROM: South East London
OCCUPATION: Semi Professional Footballer
WHAT’S YOUR TYPE ON PAPER? I want someone that’s family orientated, caring and career minded. Lookwise, I like blondes with nice boobs but am partial to a brunette too.
CLAIM T0 FAME? Bradley Dack is my best friend and he and Olivia are a big part of my life. I call Olivia my big little sister, she always looks out for me.
NAME: Jess White
AGE: 25
FROM: Stockport
OCCUPATION: Retail Manager
WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? I don’t underestimate the fact that I’m hard work. I know what I want and I’m not easily pleased. When you’re a loud, outgoing woman, sometimes it can intimidate men – men don’t always want that.
WHAT’S YOUR TYPE ON PAPER? I love a set of white Turkey teeth but a good set of Turkey teeth. I would say personality traits, you have to be family orientated. You have to be tall, you can’t be shorter than me, I can’t be having to question whether I can wear heels around you and what height of heels I can wear. If you’re vertically challenged, it’s not for me.
NAME: Ciaran Davies
AGE: 21
FROM: Pencoed, South Wales
OCCUPATION: Surveyor
WHAT’S YOUR TYPE ON PAPER? Obviously looks but humour is a big thing for me, I’m a bit of a wind up so I want a girl who can give it back. Loyalty is another one for me, I think that’s the most important thing to look for in a relationship.
CLAIM T0 FAME? When I was in Malia on a boys holiday I pretended to be Liam Reardon from series 7 to get into a club because they wouldn’t let us in. It worked and we ended up getting a private booth and free drinks all night.
NAME: Uma Jammeh
AGE: 23
FROM: Islington, north London
OCCUPATION: VIP host / model
WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? I feel like I’ve been so unlucky in love! It’s all been underwhelming so far. I don’t know what the reason is, I think it’s them, as it can’t be me!
CLAIM TO FAME? I was born in a closet in the hospital! There were no rooms left, my poor Mum!
NAME: Joey Essex
AGE: 33
FROM: Chigwell, Essex
OCCUPATION: Reality star
CLAIM TO FAME? The Only Way Is Essex
FAMOUS EXES: Joey was in a relationship with fellow TOWIE star Sam Faiers from 2011 to 2014 with the pair getting engaged before they split. He has also been spotted locking lips with former Love Island stars Ellie Brown and Maura Higgins. He also dated his Dancing On Ice pro partner Vanessa Bauer.
NAME: Omar Nyame
AGE: 25
FROM: Croydon, London
OCCUPATION: PE Teacher
WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? People always assume that I’m a player and a flirt but really and truly that’s not me.
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