JOEY Essex has revealed the ‘real reason’ he signed up for Love Island after becoming the first-ever celebrity bombshell.
The 33-year-old entered the villa tonight to join the latest lot of sexy singletons looking for romance on the show.
And Joey – who shot to fame on The Only Way Is Essex in 2011 – has opened up about his decision to make Love Island history.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun ahead of his debut, he said: “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 a string of celebrities in the past – including Rita Ora and former Islander Maura Higgins – but now he’ll be cracking on with ‘normal’ girls.
The Love Island girls this year include Samantha Kenny, 26, and Mimii Ngulube, 24.
And Joey revealed he wasn’t approached by show bosses but instead applied to take part.
He 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.”
Love Island is back on the box with a brand new batch of sexy islanders all looking for love this summer.
The Girls
The boys
