LOVE Island fans were left lost for words when Joey Essex entered the villa as the first celebrity bombshell this evening.
Tonight the ITV2 dating show returned to our screens for its 11th series.
At the end of this evening’s instalment, viewers were left lost for words when Towie legend Joey was revealed as the FIRST bombshell.
Many watching at home couldn’t believe their eyes.
One wrote on X: “joey essex coming in as a bombshell in love island was not on my 2024 bingo card
Another said: “SCREAMING JOEY ESSEX WTF?!!”
“lol this is Joey’s island now,” a third chimed in.
A fourth questioned: “WAIT THAT JOEY !!!!! JOEY ESSEX ????.”
A fifth tweeted: “Joey Essex? This season is gonna be chaotic #loveIsland.”
Joey shot to fame in when he appeared on ITVBe’s Towie in 2011.
He was on the show until he left in 2013.
The hunk is no stranger to a reality dating show OR dating in the public.
Since Towie, Joey has appeared on Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity Ex on the Beach and Celebs Go Dating: The Mansion.
Will Joey be able to find The One while on Love Island 2024?
I just want someone to like me for me
Joey Essex
Speaking exclusively to The Sun before landing in Majorca, Joey said: “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 got on the plane to Ibiza, I made sure I still 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 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.”
Joey added: “I just want someone to like me for me and now 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.”
Joey has dated the likes of Sam Faiers, Rita Ora, Ellie Brown and Stephanie Pratt.
Love Island line-up 2024
Love Island is back on the box with a brand new batch of sexy islanders all looking for love this summer.
The Girls
- Patsy Field – The Sun revealed how Love Island had signed stunning Patsy Field, who is an Influencer with a disability.
- Samantha Kenny – Liverpool lass Samantha Kenny is a 27-year-old works in a beauty salon as a make-up artist.
- Grace Jackson – Manchester model Grace Jackson is going into the villa for a summer of love.
- Mimii Ngulube – Student nurse Mimii Ngulube is swapping Portsmouth for Majorca.
- Jess White – Shop manager Jess White hails from Stockport.
- Harriett Blackmore – Harriet Blackmore is good pals with YouTuber Saffron Barker.
- Nicole Samuel – Account manager and former champion dancer Nicole Samuel is a 2024 Islander.
The boys
- Ciaran Davies Welsh rugby hunk Ciaran Davies is set to enter the plush villa.
- Sean Stone – Sean Stone runs a sweet firm and is hoping he is just as sweet with the ladies.
- Sam Taylor – Hairdresser Sam Taylor has a big passion for tattoos and “crackin’ on”.
- Munveer Jabbal – Munveer Jabbal is the oldest contestant in the villa this year at 30-years-old.
- Ayo Odukoya – Meet Ayo Odukoya who is a footballer and former model.
- Ronnie Vint – The Sun revealed how Ronnie Vint – who is best mates with Olivia Attwood’s hubby Bradley Dack – is in the villa this summer.
Love Island 2024 couples
On launch night the Islanders were immediately 'coupled up'.
The couples so far include:
- Mimii Ngulube and Munveer Jabbal.
- Nicole Samuel and Sean Stone,
- Jess White and Ronnie Vint.
- Patsy Field and Ayo Odukoya.
- Samantha Kenny and Sam Taylor.
- Harriet Blackmore and Ciaran Davies.