JOEY Essex has become Love Island’s first celebrity bombshell.
The reality TV star is so desperate to find love after a string of failed relationships that he applied to be on the dating show.
Thrilled ITV bosses launched a military-style operation to keep his arrival in the Love Island villa under wraps.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun before landing in Majorca, Joey, 33, said: “I feel like Joey Bond, the name’s Essex, Joey Essex. It felt like a military operation, not even the journey itself but the process of even getting through the application and to this point.
“I got on the plane to Ibiza. I made sure I wore my mask when I went out for dinner and then we got the boat over to Majorca to a villa hidden in the mountains in the middle of nowhere.
“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.
“It’s difficult for me to meet girls as they judge me based on a persona so I think this experience will allow people to see the real me.”
Since finding fame at 21 on Towie, Joey has appeared on everything from I’m A Celebrity… to Dancing On Ice and is now worth £8million through savvy property investments.
He has dated Rita Ora, Maura Higgins and, most recently, his skate partner Vanessa Bauer.
Now, he is hoping for better luck with this year’s contestants such as Samantha Kenny, 26, and Mimii Ngulube, 24.
Joey said: “I just want someone to like me for me and now from what they see on TV.”
But his arrival on the show has already divided fans with some criticising the show for the twist. Follow our live coverage from the Love Island villa here.
