Love Island viewers have been left baffled as they accused Joey’s Essex’s age gap with the female contestants as ‘inappropriate’ and ‘creepy’.
The former TOWIE star is the oldest singleton in the villa at 33-years-old, with the girls in the villa ageing between 24 and 29.
Joey chose to couple up with 26-year-old Samantha at the end of Tuesday’s episode, sending her partner Sam straight home in the first dumping of the series.
However in a teaser for Wednesday’s episode Joey sneaks off to the hideaway with Harriett, who is just 24-years-old.
Fans made sure to comment on the inappropriate age gap as they took to Twitter to share their opinions on Joey being too old for the show.
Love Island viewers have branded Joey Essex’s age gap with the female singletons on the reality show as ‘inappropriate’ and ‘creepy’ after his bombshell entrance on Monday
Joey chose to couple up with 26-year-old Samantha at the end of Tuesday’s episode, sending her partner Sam straight home in the first dumping of the series
They wrote: ‘Joey Essex is 33…why on earth is he on #LoveIsland?! ITV couldn’t find a more age appropriate (and relevant) surprise celeb entrant?!;’
‘Why Joey Essex is on the same show with 21 year olds at his age baffles me;’
‘Didn’t even bother watching #LoveIsland starting again last night. But Joey Essex, 33, going on a tv show which seems to be full of kids, and wanting to find the love of his life, seems very weird…;’
‘The funniest thing about Joey Essex going on love island is that half these girls are in their early twenties & therefore 100% had posters of him in their room 10 years ago;’
‘As much as I know I’m going to enjoy watching Joey Essex. This is the 2nd time #LoveIsland has brought in an older Male reality star. Where are age appropriate OG’s and the OG girlies or even female stars from other shows. I’m sensing a pattern I’m not liking;’
‘Joey is in his mid-30s and everyone else is in their early to mid-20s Because that’s not creepy;’
Others joked: ‘@LoveIsland Joey Essex going in the Villa at his big age is giving me Wayne Lineker vibes #loveIsland;’ ‘Go and start a family Joey Essex at your colossal age of 33 #loveisland’.
While in the past contestants as young as 19 have appeared on the show, fans suggested producers had chosen girls closer to their mid-twenties this year to make them more suitable for Joey.
The former TOWIE star is the oldest singleton in the villa at 33-years-old, with the girls in the villa ageing between 24 and 29
Fans made sure to comment on the inappropriate age gap as they took to Twitter to share their opinions on Joey being too old for the show
Others jokily compared Joey to Wayne Lineker
While in the past contestants as young as 19 have appeared on the show, fans suggested producers had chosen girls closer to their mid-twenties this year to make them more suitable for Joey
In a teaser for Wednesday’s episode Joey sneaks off to the hideaway with Harriett, who is just 24-years-old
Joey has said he is ‘looking for a wife in the villa’ after signing up to the show for the ‘right reasons’ purely to find love’
One wrote: ‘The way they definitely picked OG’s who are older cos they knew joey Essex was gonna be the bombshell and it would insane if he was 33 firing into 21 yr olds lmao;’
Others penned: ‘Never mind the fact it’s joey Essex but no one past the age of 28 should be on this show’; ‘Joey Essex at your big age of THIRTY THREE you have come to Love Island??????’
Joey has said he is ‘looking for a wife in the villa’ after signing up to the show for the ‘right reasons’ purely to find love.
A TV source told : ‘Joey has signed up to Love Island for all the right reasons.
‘He’s 33 years old and really wants to find someone he can settle down with, he wants a wife and to have children one day.
‘Not many people know the real Joey, over the years he’s hidden behind his reality TV persona but being on Love Island will give him the opportunity to show his true self.
‘He doesn’t need fame, followers, or the prize money… He’s excited to meet someone and can’t wait to start dating.’