The arrival of Joey Essex as Love Island’s first celebrity bombshell has placed all of this year’s male stars at risk, with one set to be left single in the next big twist of the series.
The TOWIE star shocked the nation when he headed into the villa in Monday’s launch show, and he’s now set his sights on stealing one girl and tearing a couple apart.
Monday’s launch saw the 12 new singletons coupled up for the first time, but they didn’t have long to get settled before Joey strutted into the villa.
Host Maya Jama asked the couples to gather at the firepit, before telling them: ‘It’s good to see you’re all settled in but as you know, you’re on Love Island. You must always expect the unexpected.’
Ayo Odukoya said: Oh my God,’ while Patsy Field added: ‘What?’ as Joey headed into the villa.
The arrival of Joey Essex as Love Island’s first celebrity bombshell has placed all of this year’s male stars at risk, with one set to be left single in the next big twist of the series
The TOWIE star shocked the nation when he headed into the villa in Monday’s launch, and he’s set his sights on tearing a couple apart (Nicole Samuel and Sean Stone are pictured)
It soon became clear he would be stealing one of the girls, leaving another man single, and at risked of being dumped.
Love Island is no stranger to an early dumping, with Shannon Singh sensationally eliminated after just 24 hours in the villa.
Joey became the first celebrity bombshell to enter the Love Island villa in the show’s history, with MailOnline revealing that bosses took ‘every precaution’ to keep Joey’s entry into the villa a secret.
While the rest of the singletons were flown out to Mallorca, the reality star was forced to travel by ferry to keep his appearance under wraps.
This is the first time Love Island bosses have landed a celebrity in the lineup, with Joey known to viewers as one of TOWIE’s original stars, followed by stints on Dancing On Ice, Celebs Go Dating and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!
Joey’s arrival was unveiled in the final moments of Monday’s launch show, with host Maya Jama confirming he would be arriving to shake up the six couples.
The twist left many viewers aghast, and they were quick to flood social media with their reactions.
Joey became the first celebrity bombshell to enter the Love Island villa, with MailOnline revealing that bosses took ‘every precaution’ to keep his entry into the villa a secret
In what may be the biggest signing in the show’s history, the TOWIE star headed into the villa at the end of Monday night’s launch show
Posts on X included: ‘Wait wtf, Joey Essex still ain’t found love?! He’s been on the scene for years lol;’
‘Joey Essex on Love Island was something I would never be prepared for, you just know everyone’s going to be all over him. Not giving the other lads a chance bless him;’
‘Joey Essex coming in as a bombshell in Love Island was not on my 2024 bing card;’
‘The thing is EVERY GIRL in that villa is gonna wanna couple up with Joey Essex cos they’re all in it for the fame;’
Ahead of making his way to Mallorca, Joey told The Sun: ‘I feel like Joey Bond, ‘the names Essex, Joey Essex. It felt like a military operation, not even the journey itself but the process of even getting through the application process and to this point.
‘I’m extremely single right now, so I’m praying that I’m going to walk out of the villa hand in hand with the love of my life, that’s my main aim and all I care about.’
Joey is no stranger to causing drama with his love life, and was previously engaged to Sam Faiers on TOWIE, before leaving the show after they split.
In 2013, he formed a close bond with Amy Willerton while they appeared on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! but things fizzled out after they left the jungle.
He then went onto date The Hills star Stephanie Pratt after their stint on Celebs Go Dating in 2017, but their relationship only lasted three months.
Joey’s most recent romance came during his stint on Dancing On Ice in 2023, when rumours swirled that he was dating his professional skating partner Vanessa Bauer.
But just a day after Vanessa confirmed that they were dating, MailOnline confirmed that they had gone their separate ways.
MailOnline can also reveal that bosses took ‘every precaution’ to keep Joey’s entry into the villa a secret, and he was forced to travel to Mallorca by ferry
The twist left many viewers aghast, and they were quick to flood social media with their reactions
Joey was previously a contestant on Dancing On Ice in 2023, and at the time he sparked rumours he was dating his professional skating partner Vanessa Bauer
The pair, who performed together during the latest series of the ITV show, have not seen each other since the grand final, which took place on Sunday, March 12.
Viewers saw the couple grow close filming the show, where they narrowly missed out on being crowned champions to Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson and his professional partner Olivia Smart.
Their separation comes as Joey is planning an overseas move to Dubai and is in the middle of viewing properties where he can relocate and begin a new life away from Essex.
A source said: ‘Joey absolutely loved his time performing with Vanessa on Dancing On Ice – he will treasure those memories forever.
‘But for now, he’s focussing on work opportunities and beginning a new chapter in Dubai.
‘He’s definitely single and while Vanessa means a lot to him because of the experience they shared on the show, they’re just friends now.
‘Joey has a busy life and career and right now his main priority is his house move, which will be a massive change for him.’
In 2022, Joey previously discussed his plans to have five children when he starts a family in the future.
He told The Sun: ‘I feel like in ten years’ time, I am hopefully on a huge boat, yacht in Spain and I am living on that with a wife and maybe four or five kids!’
Last year, Joey was left shaken after a break-in at his home left him an ’emotional wreck’.
His bachelor pad was raided while he was on a night out with his pal James ‘Diags’ Bennewith.
Joey contacted Essex Police, who investigated the break-in, while friends said he was left ‘terrified and shaken’ and an ’emotional wreck’.
It is thought Joey has split his time between Dubai and Essex going forward.
Joey, who found fame on TOWIE in 2011, paid £1.6 million for the Chigwell pad in 2014 – almost half what it is now worth.
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: Sam Taylor
AGE: 23
FROM: Chesterfield
OCCUPATION: Hair Stylist
WHY LOVE ISLAND? At this point in my life I just want the opportunity to find a real connection with someone. I’ve been looking for that connection for quite some time but I’ve never really found it, I’m hoping I find that spark in the Villa.
WHAT DO YOU WANT THE ISLANDERS TO KNOW? I’d say not to judge a book by its cover because how I look compared to what I do for work might not necessarily add up. You wouldn’t look at me as a tall guy covered in tattoos and think that I make girls’ hair look pretty for a living.
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.
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