LOVE Island fans are convinced Joey Essex is being paid for his time in the villa.
The former Towie hunk shocked fans on Monday night as he was introduced as the first ever celebrity bombshell.
His arrival meant he had to steal one of the girls from the OG boys.
After thinking long and hard, the Towie legend decided to couple up with Samantha Kenny.
As she was in a couple with Sam Taylor, it meant the tattooed hunk’s time in the villa was over.
And now fans are convinced Love Island bosses have splashed the cash to get Joey in the TV villa.
Taking to social media, one said: “I wonder how much they paid Joey Essex to be on here?”
A second wrote: “I just had a thought?? Is Joey Essex being paid a fee for this??? And if he wins, will he get the prize money as well as an appearance fee?
“They must’ve paid Joey big money for this.”
However, an insider has revealed Joey is being paid exactly the same as his fellow islanders – £375 a week.
They explained to MailOnline: “Joey is being treated like any other Love Island contestant, he’s playing by the same rules and won’t be given any preferential treatment.
“He hasn’t been paid an appearance fee or any money at all for signing up to the show, not a penny.
“On Love Island, it is all about the exposure and for Joey, it means more than that too… He’s looking for someone to settle down with, so it’s not about the money he can make on the other side.”
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.
- 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.
Dumped:
- Sam Taylor – Hairdresser Sam Taylor was first to go after Joey Essex stole his girl.