JOEY Essex was accused of being a producer plant by amazed Love Island fans as they shared a wild theory on his stint in the villa.
The ITV2 reality series returned last week with Joey, 33, being the first ever celebrity bombshell in its history.
He arrived on day two and swiped Samantha from hair stylist Sam Taylor, who was immediately dumped from the island.
A feud later erupted on Friday when Joey waded into a love triangle and crushed Harriett’s hopes of winning Ciaran.
Joey told Harriett that Nicole was Ciaran’s favourite girl in the villa, sparking a row between Harriett and Ciaran and leaving the dancer in a spin.
The amount of drama caused by Joey in just three days left some people wondering if the reality TV legend was getting direction from the powers at be.
One person asked on Instagram: “Nobody going to mention how badly Joey threw Ciaran under the bus here?”
Replying to the post, another viewer claimed: “Probably told to by producers.”
One more agreed, writing: “Was looking for this comment for a while, this has to be (producers) telling them what to do, otherwise these girls are out of their head.”
Other said he was the “best thing to happen” to the show as he intuitively knows how to stir up drama.
One more said: “Joey is the best thing love island has done this year. This man is comedy and the messy we needed.”
Speaking exclusively to The Sun before landing in Majorca, Towie legend Joey, said: “I feel like Joey Bond, the name’s Essex, Joey Essex.
“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.”
