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.’
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: 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.