Reality star ‘unrecognisable’ as first ever celebrity joins Love Island
The IndependentSign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Love Island fans have been left “genuinely shocked” after it was revealed that the first bombshell of the new series was The Only Way is Essex veteran star Joey Essex. “A buzz cut Joey Essex on Love Island was not in my bingo card for 2024,” said one fan. open image in gallery Joey Essex on ‘Love Island’ “ just confirmed once again that it’s just people who need to help their platforms,” said one viewer, as another added: “It might be time to end the show completely – bringing in Joey Essex pretty much defeats the purpose of the show.” Another fan branded the decision to cast Joey a “big mistake” because the rest of the contestants will be starstruck by him “sucking up to him as he’s famous”. “At the height of its popularity in 2019, the sun-soaked series pulled in an average of more than 5 million viewers, and 3.6 million of us tuned in to see Amber Gill crowned winner, just weeks after suffering one of the show’s most painful Casa Amor dumpings.” “What made that series so compelling was how real it felt,” said McGrath, but also wondered whether Joey is actually looking for love or not “doesn’t matter”.