Love Island: Joey Essex becomes the first-ever celebrity bombshell of the show, here’s why he’s in the villa

As our summer essential returned this week for another series of love, drama, passion and feuds, viewers were left stunned to see the first bombshell to enter the villa. Soon after the 12 OG islanders were announced and Mimii Ngulube became their favourite, many were left ‘disappointed’ in the lineup and urged producers to send in good bombshells.

Looks like their prayers have been answered! Joey Essex entered the villa as the first bombshell of the series and also the first-ever celebrity bombshell.

Why is Joey Essex on Love Island? The real reason why he applied for the show revealed

The TOWIE star caused a lot of commotion as he entered the villa. Being the first bombshell of the series, Joey is no less than the OG cast of the show. Amidst Harriett Blackmore’s drama of already having a boyfriend, Joey was a breath of fresh air for fans.

The 33-year-old revealed ahead of his villa entry that he actually applied to be on the show and wasn’t approached by show bosses. Revealing the reason behind his decision to go on Love Island, he told The Sun:

I just want someone to like me for me and not from what they see on TV.

This is exactly why I’m going into the villa because you’re disconnected from the rest of the world and can focus on what actually matters on a far deeper level.

Being in the limelight has its pros and cons and apparently, for Joey’s dating life, it hasn’t boded well. He explained:

It’s difficult for me to meet girls on the outside as they judge me based on a persona so I think this experience will allow for people to see the real me.

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 has previously dated celebs like Rita Ora, Maura Higgins, Sam Faiers, Ellie Brown and Stephanie Pratt.

Love Island fans rejoice as Joey enters the villa

After labelling the OG lineup as underwhelming, fans were excited to see Joey. Many viewers couldn’t believe their eyes as they saw him enter the Love Island villa. They took to X(formerly Twitter) and wrote:

JOEY ESSEX???? WHAT CROSSOVER IS THIS

Joey Essex? This season is gonna be chaotic

joey essex coming in as a bombshell in love island was not on my 2024 bingo card

Read More

⋙ Love Island’s Ronnie Vint reveals words of wisdom Olivia Attwood imparted to him ahead of the show

⋙ Love Island’s Harriett Blackmore breaks silence on viral video of her arguing with a group of women

⋙ Jake Cornish finds love again four months after quitting Love Island All Stars: ‘I'm happy where I am at’

Sources Used

The Sun: Love Island’s shock bombshell Joey Essex reveals ‘real reason’ he signed up for show’s ‘greatest stunt ever pulled’

X (formerly Twitter)