Love Island fans in shock as Joey Essex enters villa as first bombshell

The 11th series of Love Island kicked off over in Mallorca on Monday 3rd June, as Maya Jama welcomed 12 singletons hoping to find love this Summer. And whilst the likes of Mimii Ngulube, Patsy Field, Ronnie Vint and Ayo Odukoya got to know each other, it was the first bombshell of the series that really got fans talking...

As fans will know there's been some pretty huge shocks in the past with bombshells, who can forget the likes of Adam Collard and Kady McDermott making a return, but bosses have upped the ante even more for series 11, brining in the first ever 'celeb bombshell'.

As host Maya entered the villa for the first time, the Islanders couldn't believe it when former TOWIE star Joey Essex strutted in, dubbing himself as 'the king of Essex' in the process.

At 33-years-old, Joey is the oldest ever contestant to appear on Love Island, and despite appearing on Celebs Go Dating in the past, he's revealed he's 'very single' right now.

Since leaving The Only Way Is Essex back in 2013, Joey has been no stranger to reality TV, appearing on shows such as Dancing On Ice, I'm A Celeb, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, Celebrity MasterChef and Celebs Go Dating.

After seeing Joey's shock entrance, fans and former Islanders of the show were quick to express their opinions on the twist.

Faye Winter wrote: 'Naaaaa I’m done with the lot of you 😂 what a bomb', with Scarlett Moffatt adding: 'What a TWIST 👏👏👏👏'. Joey's friend Arg then added: 'Love it, Go on Joey ❤️'.

A fan then wrote: 'This was not on my Love Island bingo card for today. I’m actually in shock lol', with another adding: 'The way my jaw DROPPED. Bring on the one liners from him 👏'. (sic)

However, it seems not ever viewer was happy with the new twist by bosses, with many saying they've 'ruined' the show.

One claimed: 'Wrong move love island, show ruined and now probably not genuine'.

Another wrote: 'See this is my problem. Love island is meant to be for non-famous normal people… It’s not for celebrities. That includes ex islanders going back on for a second series. It’s just a way for them to stay relevant and it shouldn’t be allowed. Everything becomes fake and it’s ruining the show and what it stands for. No personal hate against anyone, but it’s wrong'. (sic)

A third then added: 'Putting someone so well known in ruins the dynamics. Wrong move in my opinion. They’ll all be on edge now. They were developing organically- what a shame'. (sic)

Check out this year's Love Island cast below:

It's not yet known if bosses are planning to put more celebrity bombshells in throughout the series, but they have previously claimed that series 11 is "all about the bombshells", admitting they are "the main characters this year."

Love Island continues every night at 9pm on ITX/ITV2 and STV Player/STV2.

Now read:

Everything you need to know about Love Island

How to follow the Love Island 2024 cast on Instagram

Love Island All Stars officially renewed for second series

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