LOVE Island fans were left lost for words when Joey Essex entered the villa as the first celebrity bombshell this evening.
Tonight the ITV2 dating show returned to our screens for its 11th series.
At the end of this evening's instalment, viewers were left lost for words when Towie legend Joey was revealed as the FIRST bombshell.
Many watching at home couldn't believe their eyes.
One wrote on X: "joey essex coming in as a bombshell in love island was not on my 2024 bingo card
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Another said: "SCREAMING JOEY ESSEX WTF?!!"
"lol this is Joey’s island now," a third chimed in.
A fourth questioned: "WAIT THAT JOEY !!!!! JOEY ESSEX ????."
A fifth tweeted: "Joey Essex? This season is gonna be chaotic #loveIsland."
Joey shot to fame in when he appeared on ITVBe's Towie in 2011.
He was on the show until he left in 2013.
The hunk is no stranger to a reality dating show OR dating in the public.
Since Towie, Joey has appeared on Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity Ex on the Beach and Celebs Go Dating: The Mansion.
Will Joey be able to find The One while on Love Island 2024?
I just want someone to like me for me
Gemma Collins breaks down in tears and left shaking with emotion on holiday Joey Essex
Speaking exclusively to The Sun before landing in Majorca, Joey said: “I feel like Joey Bond, ‘the names Essex, Joey Essex.
"It felt like a military operation, not even the journey itself but the process of even getting through the application process and to this point.
“I got on the plane to Ibiza, I made sure I still wore my mask when I went out for dinner, and then we got the boat over to Majorca to a villa hidden in the mountains in the middle of nowhere.
“I’m extremely single right now, so I’m praying that I’m going to walk out of the villa hand in hand with the love of my life, that’s my main aim and all I care about.
“It’s difficult for me to meet girls on the outside as they judge me based on a persona so I think this experience will allow for people to see the real me.”
Joey added: “I just want someone to like me for me and now from what they see on TV.
"This is exactly why I’m going into the Villa because you’re disconnected from the rest of the world and can focus on what actually matters on a far deeper level.”
Joey has dated the likes of Sam Faiers, Rita Ora, Ellie Brown and Stephanie Pratt.
