JOEY Essex has broken his silence as he returned to social media after missing out on reaching the Love Island final.
Reality star Joey, 34, put on a cosy display with Jessy Potts, 25, as he confirmed their ‘exclusive’ status in his latest post.
Taking to Instagram, the Towie alum gazed into the blonde beauty’s eyes as they held hands against a pool backdrop.
Joey showcased his ripped physique in blue swimming shorts while Jessy revealed her bikini body in a pink two-piece.
In his caption, he wrote: “exclusive era,” along with heart and fire emojis.
During last night’s final, Love Island fans spotted Joey looking furious and sour.
Despite it being his birthday, dumped star Joey didn’t look in high spirits as he attended the show.
ITV2 viewers couldn’t help but notice his stern facial expression as the camera panned to him in the audience.
Ayo and Jess, Nicole and Ciaran, Mimii and Josh and Sean and Matilda all face the public vote to be crowned the twelth winning Love Island couple.
But, since Joey and Jessy didn’t quite make it to the end, fans are convinced he’s secretly fuming.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one wrote: “Joey does not look happy,” while another added: “Joey fuming in the corner.”
Someone else chimed in with: “Joey is fuming he ain’t in the final,” while one more agreed: “Joey sat there watching wishing he was in that final.”
The couple were sent packing in a brutal twist last night as their former Islanders returned to the villa to decide with a big decision to make.
Joey and Jessy joined host Maya Jama on Aftersun and spoke about their plans for the future.
Maya asked him: “You guys are now exclusive, are you going to move her in like you said you would… is it Essex time?”
He looked panicked and quickly shut down the idea saying: “Moving in?! We’re going back to Essex for sure…umm moving in, we ain’t discussed moving in.”
Maya clarified: “No, sorry, I thought you said you were bringing her home, I was just leapfrogging.”
Joey added: “We’re going back to Essex,” with Maya responding: “Nice.”
Those watching were quick to spot Joey’s startled response as he nearly catapulted out of his own body after Maya’s question.
One wrote: “Joey isn’t going back to Essex with Jessy He didn’t like the thought at all.”
A second posted: “The whole Joey and Jessy segment just now on aftersun was painful to watch. YIKES.”
A third said: “The way Joey is so shocked at moving in together, Jessy it’s not looking good bruv.”
“Joey does not like Jessy. first the fake smile and then his eyes almost popped out at the thought of moving in together,” a fourth said.
A fifth commented: “The way Joey FREAKED when Maya suggested that Jessy could move in with him lmao. He doesn’t like her.”
Someone else echoed: “Yeah Joey & Jessy are not gonna last. Look at the way he responded to the idea of her moving in with him.”
This person said: “I feel Joey and Jessy are already losing their connection lol evident on Aftersun.”
This viewer predicted: “I give Jessy and Joey a solid three and a half weeks before the inevitable Instagram break up post.”
Another added: “Jessy is so obsessed with being a ride or die she’s not realising that this interview has been dominated by Joey’s antics and she’s *already* in his shadow man clown.”
After leaving the villa, Joey told ITV: “It feels good to be leaving, I feel like I had an amazing run in there, went through the full cycle of emotions you get in the Villa, and if you have to leave, you might as well go out with a bang… It’s my birthday on Monday so feels like I’m going out at a good time.
“It’s difficult to put eight weeks into just a few words but exciting, fun and eventful are the ones that come to mind.
Later in the episode, Mimii Ngulube and Josh Oyinsan were declared the King and Queen of the summer series.
