Both contestants and viewers were left speechless after Joey Essex entered the Love Island villa on Monday as the first bombshell of the series and the first ever series to enter an original lineup.
And it turns out the former TOWIE star, 33, also shocked his family as his cousins and sister were all left in the dark about his appearance on the ITV dating show.
Taking to Instagram Joey’s cousins Demi, Chloe and Frankie were over the moon to see the star on their TV as they confessed they had no idea he had travelled out to Mallorca.
Watching live, Demi was astounded as Joey walked in as she exclaimed: ‘Sorry what?! Joey I am deadddd. I didn’t even know this.’
Sharing his official Love Island snap she gushed: ‘Yessss @joeyessex I’m so gassed for you, little ladies Mann!!’
Joey Essex’s famous relatives have revealed they were left in the dark about his Love Island appearance as they share what they REALLY think about the former TOWIE star entering the villa (pictured Frankie, Chloe and Demi Sims – Joey’s cousins)
The former TOWIE star, 33, entered the Love Island villa on Monday as the first bombshell of the series and the first ever series to enter an original lineup
And Demi has already shared her predictions as to which of the girls might be the perfect match for Joey.
Sharing a snap of makeup artist Samantha from Liverpool she wrote: ‘I’m gonna put my bets on Joey going for Sam, what do u all think’.
Frankie was equally shocked as she cried: ”What the hell. What the hell!’ as his entrance was unveiled in the final moments of Monday’s launch show, with host Maya Jama confirming he would be arriving to shake up the six couples.
She wrote: ‘I’m so shocked. Still getting over the shock of seeing his little face pop up!
‘Soooooo excited to watch you every night @joeyessex’.
Meanwhile Chloe is currently away in Los Angeles so was unable to watch the launch, however she still took to her Instagram Story to let fans know what she really thought of Joey’s entrance.
‘I am excited. I love Love Island and Joey’s on it. I found out when everyone else did by the way so it was a shock to me too,’ confessed Chloe.
‘But what a twist. I am actually so annoyed that I am not back there to watch it I am going to have to catch up when I am back. to London but I am going to bed and I am too excited to sleep.
Watching live, Demi was astounded as Joey walked in as she exclaimed: ‘Sorry what?! Joey I am deadddd. I didn’t even know this’
Frankie was equally shocked as she cried: ”What the hell. What the hell!’ as his entrance was unveiled in the final moments of Monday’s launch show
Sharing his official Love Island snap Demi gushed: ‘Yessss @joeyessex I’m so gassed for you, little ladies Mann!!’
And Demi has already shared her predictions as to which of the girls might be the perfect match for Joey
‘Celebrating with a Shake Shack in bed, it’s how we roll at midnight back here in LA.’
Sharing the snap from Joey’s management she joked: ‘Salty potato. Yesssss @joeyessex.’
Joey’s sister Frankie was also none the wiser about his appearance as she filmed his entrance while exclaiming: ‘Woooo Joey! Surprise surprise’.
The twist left many viewers aghast, and they were quick to flood social media with their reactions.
Posts on X included: ‘Wait wtf, Joey Essex still ain’t found love?! He’s been on the scene for years lol;’
‘Joey Essex on Love Island was something I would never be prepared for, you just know everyone’s going to be all over him. Not giving the other lads a chance bless him;’
‘Joey Essex coming in as a bombshell in Love Island was not on my 2024 bing card;’
Meanwhile Chloe is currently away in Los Angeles so was unable to watch the launch, however she still took to her Instagram Story to let fans know what she really thought of Joey’s entrance
Sharing the snap from Joey’s management she joked: ‘Salty potato. Yesssss @joeyessex’
Joey’s sister Frankie was also none the wiser about his appearance as she filmed his entrance while exclaiming: ‘Woooo Joey! Surprise surprise’
‘The thing is EVERY GIRL in that villa is gonna wanna couple up with Joey Essex cos they’re all in it for the fame’.
also revealed 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 star 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!
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.