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Joey Essex enters the Love Island villa as bombshell arrival

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Joey Essex enters the Love Island villa as bombshell arrival


By Laura Fox For Mailonline

22:24 03 Jun 2024, updated 22:53 03 Jun 2024

Joey Essex has become the first bombshell to enter the Love Island villa.

In what may be the biggest signing in the show’s history, the TOWIE star, 33, headed into the villa at the end of Monday night’s launch show.

MailOnline can also reveal that bosses took ‘every precaution’ to keep Joey’s entry into the villa a secret.

While the rest of the singletons were flown out to Mallorca, the reality was forced to travel by ferry to keep his appearance under wraps.

This is the first time Love Island bosses have landed a celebrity in its original lineup, with Joey known to viewers as one of TOWIE’s original stars, followed by stints on Dancing On Ice, Celebs Go Dating and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

Joey Essex, 33, has become the first ever celebrity to enter the Love Island villa, after bosses took ‘every precaution’ to keep his entry a secret
In what may be the biggest signing in the show’s history, the TOWIE star headed into the villa at the end of Monday night’s launch show

Joey’s arrival was unveiled in the final moments of Monday’s launch show, with host Maya Jama confirmed he would be arriving to shake up the six couples.

Ahead of making his way to Mallorca, Joey told The Sun: ‘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.’

Joey is no stranger to causing drama with his love life, and was previously engaged to Sam Faiers on TOWIE, before leaving the show after they split.

In 2013, he formed a close bond with Amy Willerton while they appeared on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! but things fizzled out after they left the jungle. 

He then went onto date The Hills star Stephanie Pratt after their stint on Celebs Go Dating in 2017, but their relationship only lasted three months.

Joey’s most recent romance came during his stint on Dancing On Ice in 2023, when rumours swirled that he was dating his professional skating partner Vanessa Bauer.

MailOnline can also reveal that bosses took ‘every precaution’ to keep Joey’s entry into the villa a secret, and he was forced to travel to Mallorca by ferry
Joey was previously a contestant on Dancing On Ice in 2023, and at the time he sparked rumours he was dating his professional skating partner Vanessa Bauer

But just a day after Vanessa confirmed that they were dating, MailOnline confirmed that they had gone their separate ways. 

The pair, who performed together during the latest series of the ITV show, have not seen each other since the grand final, which took place on Sunday, March 12.

Viewers saw the couple grow close filming the show, where they narrowly missed out on being crowned champions to Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson and his professional partner Olivia Smart.

Their separation comes as Joey is planning an overseas move to Dubai and is in the middle of viewing properties where he can relocate and begin a new life away from Essex. 

A source said: ‘Joey absolutely loved his time performing with Vanessa on Dancing On Ice – he will treasure those memories forever.

‘But for now, he’s focussing on work opportunities and beginning a new chapter in Dubai.

‘He’s definitely single and while Vanessa means a lot to him because of the experience they shared on the show, they’re just friends now.

‘Joey has a busy life and career and right now his main priority is his house move, which will be a massive change for him.’

In 2022, Joey previously discussed his plans to have five children when he starts a family in the future.

He told The Sun: ‘I feel like in ten years’ time, I am hopefully on a huge boat, yacht in Spain and I am living on that with a wife and maybe four or five kids!’

Last year, Joey was left shaken after a break-in at his home left him an ’emotional wreck’. 

His bachelor pad was raided while he was on a night out with his pal James ‘Diags’ Bennewith.

Joey lost a mustard Louis Vuitton weekend bag worth £2,500, and a £1,900 grey Maison Goyard cross-body bag, as well as other valuable items, such as a black Fendi rucksack worth about £4,500.

Joey contacted Essex Police, who investigated the break-in, while friends said he was left ‘terrified and shaken’ and an ’emotional wreck’.

It is thought Joey has split his time between Dubai and Essex going forward.

Joey, who found fame on TOWIE in 2011, paid £1.6 million for the Chigwell pad in 2014 – almost half what it is now worth.

LOVE ISLAND 2024: MEET THE CONTESTANTS



NAME: Mimii Ngulube

AGE: 24

FROM: Portsmouth

OCCUPATION: Mental Health Nurse

WHY LOVE ISLAND? The pool in Portsmouth is not giving. I’ve tried dating, speaking to people on social media and it just hasn’t been successful. Applying was a spontaneous thing, I didn’t expect to get here! 

WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE VILLA? My girls are my rocks and I’m theirs so I’ll be a good friend as well as going in there to find a man. I like dressing up so I’ll bring style, and I’d like to think I’m quite funny so I’ll make people laugh. Bringing honesty as well – I’m good at picking up on people’s personality traits and side-eyeing those who might be a liar.

 

NAME:  Sam Taylor

AGE: 23

FROM: Chesterfield

OCCUPATION: Hair Stylist

WHY LOVE ISLAND? At this point in my life I just want the opportunity to find a real connection with someone. I’ve been looking for that connection for quite some time but I’ve never really found it, I’m hoping I find that spark in the Villa. 

WHAT DO YOU WANT THE ISLANDERS TO KNOW? I’d say not to judge a book by its cover because how I look compared to what I do for work might not necessarily add up. You wouldn’t look at me as a tall guy covered in tattoos and think that I make girls’ hair look pretty for a living.

 

NAME:  Patsy Field

AGE: 29

FROM: Orpington

OCCUPATION: Office Administrator

WHAT DO YOU WANT THE ISLANDERS TO KNOW? I’ve got something very special about me which is my disability, it’s a condition I was born with called Ebs Palsy. It doesn’t define who I am , but it makes me a little different, although I’ve learnt to get on with it and it’s never held me back. 

HOW WOULD FRIENDS/FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU? My friends would say that I’m the loudest person in the group, I’m the one who’s always up for doing a dare, the life and soul of the party. My family would say that I’m bossy and that it’s always my way or the highway, they’d say I rule the roost.

 

NAME:  Sean Stone

AGE: 24

FROM: Hertford

OCCUPATION: Sweet Salesman

WHY LOVE ISLAND? I’ve always been one for relationships and when you have found someone you want to be with it’s the best feeling. Now is the perfect time, the one thing that is missing is my soulmate. 

HOW WOULD FRIENDS/FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU? Very loving, caring and thoughtful. I’m the kind of guy that if you broke down on the motorway and needed your tyre changed, I’d be there at any time of night. 

 

NAME: Harriett Blackmore

AGE: 24

FROM: Brighton

OCCUPATION: Dancer & Personal Shopper

WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE VILLA? I’ll bring the entertainment for everyone in the Villa, whether that’s making the girls laugh or making the boys turn their heads, I’m sure that I’ll bring the drama. 

CLAIM T0 FAME? Being a bit of an IT girl in Brighton, I’ve done personal shopping for the rapper Arrdee and one of my best friends is Saffron Barker the YouTuber. 

 

NAME: Ayo Odukoya

AGE: 25

FROM: Canning Town

OCCUPATION: Model

WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE VILLA? I think I’d bring excitement and joy. I think people would have someone to come to and talk to and feel comfortable being around or to have a laugh with. I think I’m somebody everyone would take to.

WHY SHOULD SOMEBODY DATE YOU? I feel like the way I carry myself is very respectful and I think people take to that and once you show who you are to somebody you get it back tenfold. The way I am gives off a good enough energy for people to feel comfortable around me.  

NAME:  Samantha Kenny

AGE: 26

FROM: Liverpool

OCCUPATION: Makeup Artist

WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE VILLA? I think I will definitely bring some fire, I’m very opinionated and wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m really bubbly too so I’ll definitely have a laugh as well as bringing some scouse glamour.WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? I don’t get out enough, I work weekends and tend to not go out in Liverpool anymore. If I want a night out I go down to London as I love the boys down south. Tall, dark and cockney is my type.

NAME:  Munveer Jabbal

AGE: 30

FROM: Surbiton, Surrey

OCCUPATION: Recruitment Manager

WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? I haven’t found the right girl, I’m quite picky and have high standards. Dating in London is horrible. You don’t know who’s single… but now you’re putting me in a place where everyone’s single so there’s no issues around that. CLAIM T0 FAME? I’m mates with Spencer Morgan (Piers Morgan’s son). We met when I moved to Fulham in 2018. 

NAME:  Nicole Samuel

AGE: 24

FROM: Aberdare, Wales

OCCUPATION: Accounts Manager

WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? I’ve been enjoying single life and the attention of different boys, it’s fun. I’ve enjoyed being able to go on holiday with the girls and not having to worry about someone back home. All the girls are there texting in their room and I’m out till 4 in the morning living my best life.

WHAT IS SOMETHING NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU? I became a world champion dancer in 2011, not many people know that. I was a professional street dancer. 

 

NAME:  Ronnie Vint

AGE: 27

FROM: South East London

OCCUPATION: Semi Professional Footballer

WHAT’S YOUR TYPE ON PAPER? I want someone that’s family orientated, caring and career minded. Lookwise, I like blondes with nice boobs but am partial to a brunette too.

CLAIM T0 FAME? Bradley Dack is my best friend and he and Olivia are a big part of my life. I call Olivia my big little sister, she always looks out for me.

 

NAME: Jess White

AGE: 25

FROM: Stockport

OCCUPATION: Retail Manager

WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? I don’t underestimate the fact that I’m hard work. I know what I want and I’m not easily pleased. When you’re a loud, outgoing woman, sometimes it can intimidate men – men don’t always want that.

WHAT’S YOUR TYPE ON PAPER? I love a set of white Turkey teeth but a good set of Turkey teeth. I would say personality traits, you have to be family orientated. You have to be tall, you can’t be shorter than me, I can’t be having to question whether I can wear heels around you and what height of heels I can wear. If you’re vertically challenged, it’s not for me.

 

NAME: Ciaran Davies

AGE: 21

FROM: Pencoed, South Wales

OCCUPATION: Surveyor

WHAT’S YOUR TYPE ON PAPER? Obviously looks but humour is a big thing for me, I’m a bit of a wind up so I want a girl who can give it back. Loyalty is another one for me, I think that’s the most important thing to look for in a relationship.

CLAIM T0 FAME? When I was in Malia on a boys holiday I pretended to be Liam Reardon from series 7 to get into a club because they wouldn’t let us in. It worked and we ended up getting a private booth and free drinks all night.

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