TV star Joey Essex has become Love Island’s first ever celebrity bombshell.
The reality telly dimwit, 33, who first rose to fame on Towie, is so desperate to find love after a string of failed relationships, The Sun can reveal he took it upon himself to apply for Love Island.
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Thrilled ITV bosses launched a “military operation” to keep Joey‘s arrival in the famous villa under wraps.
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.”
Since finding fame at the age of 21 on Towie, Joey has gone on to appear on everything from I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here to Dancing On Ice.
He’s dated beautiful women including Rita Ora, Maura Higgins and most recently his skate partner Vanessa Bauer.
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.”
Maya Jama, 29, is back as host of the dating series for its eleventh season.
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