Love Island fans in shock as Joey Essex enters villa as first bombshell
He's the oldest ever contestant!
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_
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.
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