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

He's the oldest ever contestant!

Author: Alex RossPublished 4th Jun 2024

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:

Harriett Blackmore

Age: 24
From: Brighton
Occupation: Dancer & Personal Shopper
Instagram: harriblackmorex

Nicole Samuel

Age: 24
From: Aberdare
Occupation: Accounts Manager
Instagram: nicolesams123

Mimii Ngulube

Age: 24
From: Portsmouth
Occupation: Mental Health Nurse
Instagram: mimiitafara

Patsy Field

Age: 29
From: Orpington
Occupation: Office Administrator
Instagram: patsylouu

Jess White

Age: 25
From: Stockport
Occupation: Retail Manager
Instagram: jessamywhite

Ronnie Vint

Age: 27
From: South East London
From: Semi Professional Footballer
Instagram: ronnievint

Sean Stone

Age: 24
From: Hertford
Occupation: Sweet Salesman
Instagram: seanstone__

Samantha Kenny

Age: 26
From: Liverpool
Occupation: Makeup Artist
Instagram: samanthakenny.xx

Ciaran Davies

Age: 21
From: Pencoed, South Wales
Occupation: Surveyor
Instagram: ciarandaviesss

Munveer Jabbal

Age: 30
From: Surbiton, Surrey
Occupation: Recruitment Manager
Instagram: munveerj

Ayo Odukoya

Age: 25
From: Canning Town
Occupation: Model
Instagram: cozy.a1

Sam Taylor

Age: 23
From: Chesterfield
Occupation: Hairdresser
Instagram: samtaylorhair

Joey Essex

Age: 33
From: Essex
Occupation: Reality TV star
Instagram: joeyessex

Uma Jammeh

Age: 23
Location: North London (Islington)
Occupation: VIP Host/ Model


Instagram: umajammeh

Omar Nyame

Age: 25
From: Croydon
Occupation: PE Teacher
Instagram: omarnyame

Wil Anderson

Age: 23
From: Whitley Bay
Occupation: Quantity Surveyor
Instagram: wilandersonn

Grace Jackson

Age: 25
From: Manchester
Occupation: Co-Owner of Social Media Marketing Agency
Instagram: gracexrosa

Tiffany Leighton

Age: 25
From: Hertfordshire
Occupation: HR Coordinator
Instagram: tiffanyleighton_

Matilda Draper

Age: 24
From: Beckenham
Occupation: Recruitment Consultant
Instagram: matildajdraper

Konnor Ewudzi

Age: 28
From: Cornwall
Occupation: Barber
Instagram: konnorewudzi

Trey Norman

Age: 24
From: Doncaster
Occupation: Commercial Insurance Broker
Instagram: treynorman0311

Jessy Potts

Age: 25
From: Leicester
Occupation: Brand Partnerships Associate
Instagram: jessymaypotts

Joel Kirby

Age: 22
From: Devon
Occupation: Post-Grad and Content Creator
Instagram: joel_kirby

Hugo Godfroy

Age: 24
From: Southampton
Occupation: Electrician
Instagram: hugo_godfroy

Jake Spivey

Age: 25
From: Essex
Occupation: Electrician
Instagram: jakespivey_

Blade Siddiqi

Age: 29
From: Stevenage
Occupation: Butler in the Buff
Instagram: bladesiddiqi

Lionel Awudu

Age: 24
From: Reading
Occupation: Financial advisor
Instagram: lionelawudu

Moziah Pinder

Age: 29
From: Brighton
Occupation: Personal Trainer
Instagram: moziahpinder

Diamanté Laiva

Age: 21
From: London
Occupation: Natural beauty business owner
Instagram: diamantelv

Ellie Jackson

Age: 22
From: Cardiff
Occupation: Senior Executive Assistant
Instagram: elliejackson._x

Emma Milton

Age: 30
From: Manchester
Occupation: Fashion Content Creator
Instagram: emmamilton

Lucy Graybill

Age: 26
From: Glasgow
Occupation: Retail Store Manager
Instagram: lucygraybill

Jessica Spencer

Age: 25
From: London
Occupation: Fashion Stylist

Ruby Dale

Age: 23
From: Surrey
Occupation: Social media content creator
Instagram: rubydale_

Josh Sunday Oyinsan

Age: 29
Location: Dartford
Occupation: Semi Pro Footballer and Model
Instagram: joshoyinsan26

Reuben Collins

Age: 23
From: Surrey
Occupation: Account Assistant
Instagram: reubencollins_

Lolly Hart

Age: 30
From: Leicestershire
Occupation: Long Haul Cabin Crew
Instagram: lollyhart

Lola Deluca

Age: 22
From: Surrey
Occupation: Content Creator & Model
Instagram: loladelucaa

Harry Baker

Age: 25
From: Birmingham
Occupation: Structured Cabling Engineer

Instagram: harrygeorge5

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

How to listen to Northsound 1:

Northsound 1