JOEY Essex’s sister Frankie has revealed that she was in on his Love Island secret despite bosses “military operation” to keep it secret.
The new batch of sexy singletons have only just arrived in the villa but a shake-up was revealed at the end of the show.
But Maya Jama then revealed Towie legend Joey Essex was joining the villa as a bombshell.
While the Islanders looked gobsmacked at the sight of Joey as he walked through the villa doors, Frankie seemed a lot less surprised.
The star appeared to already be aware that her little brother was entering the villa as a bombshell as the first celebrity bombshell.
Former Towie star Frankie, 36, shared a clip of the moment Joey entered the garden and was heard saying “surprise surprise”.
She tagged Joey and was heard laughing as the ladies man made his villa debut.
Joey’s arrival could spell trouble for the boys.
There is now an uneven amount of Islanders in the villa, with more guys than girls.
As Joey is a bombshell he is likely to get first pick in the first recoupling.
This could mean one of the OG boys could be packing up his trunks, before he has even got chance to take a dip in the pool.
The Sun exclusively revealed how thrilled ITV bosses launched a “military operation” to keep Joey’s arrival in the famous villa under wraps.
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.
What will Joey Essex bring to Love Island?
By Beth Allcock, Showbiz and TV reporter
JOEY Essex left Love Island fans gobsmacked after his arrival in the Love Island villa – but what can we expect from the sizzling bombshell?
The former TOWIE star is Love Island’s first-ever celebrity contestant and has certainly brought the drama in the first episode.
Yet the reality TV stalwart, 33, who has featured on everything from Dancing On Ice to Celebs Go Dating, also showcased a hot new look.
He strolled into the villa with his fresh close-cut hairstyle and ripped abs on full display as he declared himself the ‘King of Essex’ – and it’s this cheeky chap attitude fans can certainly expect in the Mallorca villa.
Joey’s likely to be at the heart of the action in the villa, with his wicked sense of humour and Essex charm bound to shake up the partnerships of his co-stars.
His pal and former Love Island All Stars contestant Georgia Harrison, 29, confirms he’ll liven up proceedings, admitting he’ll be “so jokes.”
Yet he’s no stranger to juggling the attention of a slew of stunning females – so he’ll likely fit right in to Love Island life.
On Celebs Go Dating in 2021 Joey threw the series into chaos as he dating two women at the same time.
He previously exclusively told us he’s “really picky” when it comes to finding the right girl – so he might be grafting hard and involved in a few coupling up switch-ups.
Meanwhile, he insisted he can also “kick back” and “relax” when it comes to female attention – so some of the sexy stars might feel snubbed.
He told us: “I’m quite held back. I don’t just let girls come to me like that, do you know what I mean?
“I can’t say the right words in a nice way, but basically what I’m I’m trying to say is I just don’t get with every girl, basically!”
He added: “People are realising that I’m more picky than normal. There’ll be one little thing that I won’t like and then I’ll just be completely turned off.
“Not put off, but I’ll just know she ain’t for me.”
Love Island continues on ITV2.
“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.”
Since finding fame at the age of 21 on Towie, Joey has gone on to appear on everything from I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here to Dancing On Ice.
He’s dated beautiful women including Rita Ora, Maura Higgins and most recently his skate partner Vanessa Bauer.
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.”
Love Island continues at 9pm on ITV2
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.
- Mimii Ngulube – Student nurse Mimii Ngulube has swapped 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
- Joey Essex– Towie legend and reality star OG Joey Essex was a surprise bombshell.
- Ciaran Davies – Welsh rugby hunk Ciaran Davies is in 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.
