The star is on a mission to find love

JOEY Essex begged a Love Island boss for his spot on the show in a bid to find romance.

The Towie star, 33, shocked the villa by entering the show at the end of day one – after a ‘military operation’ to make sure his inclusion was kept under wraps.

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Joey was brought into the show as the first bombshell on Monday nightCredit: Eroteme

Joey is hoping to find The One during his time on the showCredit: ITV

Speaking exclusively to The Sun ahead of his time in the villa, Joey admitted it was his idea to appear on the ITV2 series, calling in a favour to make it happen.

“I’ve always wanted to go on Love Island and I’ve known Mike Spencer (Love Island Creative Director) since the very first day I started my journey into TV on The Only Way Is Essex,” he said.

“Myself and my cousin Chloe [Sims] think really highly of Mike and it’s almost as if we’ve been on this journey together because when I think back to my first memories of being on TV Mike was always around and there to support us.”

“It felt like the right time to give the Villa a shot, so I called Mike to ask him if I could apply and he said go for it,” he added.

“Mike’s a creative genius and has thought of a way to bring me into the mix and personally I think it’s the greatest stunt that Love Island has ever pulled.”

Joey is hoping that by going on the show he will get the opportunity for someone to ‘see the real him’ after failing to find love on the outside world.

“I can’t control my excitement. This is the time, this is everything to me because it’s the perfect moment,” he said.

“The stars are aligned because this opportunity could not have come at a better time in my life. I’ve never been more ready to go on this journey and to hopefully find love.”

“I can’t wait to go in and just be the real me, I feel like I’m at a new chapter in my life and I’m looking forward to people seeing that,” he added.

“I want to be the exact same as the other Islanders, I’m no different to them, we are all equal in that Villa so I can’t wait to get in and meet everyone.”

Maya Jama welcomed the first 12 contestants into the Mallorca villa on Monday night’s show, coupling up the stars based on their ‘boyfriend/girlfriend material’ ranking.

Joey was then introduced at the end of the episode as a surprise addition to the house.

Joey is the first household name to enter the villa in a ‘civilian’ series, although the show was initially launched as a celebrity reality show.

Follow our live coverage of Love Island which continues tonight 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.

The stars were coupled up on their ‘boyfriend/girlfriend’ material rankingsCredit: Eroteme

Joey strolled into the villa on Monday nightCredit: Eroteme

Will one of the ladies win over Joey’s heart?Credit: Eroteme