It was the bombshell of all bombshells when reality TV veteran Joey Essex entered the Love Island villa at the end of the first episode this series. What was he doing in there? Hasn't he done enough reality shows? (Yes, all of them). His appearance certainly sparked questions, but it was mostly met with excitement from fans who know that he makes great TV.
It all started quite well for Joey, who was first coupled up with Liverpudlian Samantha Kenny, but the pair didn't seem to share a strong romantic connection. Then his former flame Grace Jackson entered the villa and swept him off his feet again. The couple had previously met in Ibiza and had dated on and off in the past, so it looked like they were geared up for the final and very happy to be reunited.
However, it didn't take long for cracks to begin to show. Joey seemingly struggled to keep a handle on his jealousy when Grace entertained the idea of speaking to other people. In one awkward scene, he looked about ready to fight fellow islander Omar Nyame after he expressed an interest in Grace and repeatedly said there's 'no competition'.
One viewer took to X to express their concerns, writing, 'It’s actually vile how badly joey is trying to punish grace for “getting to know” omar like running around the villa bragging about his kiss w jessy??????'.
Then entered Jessy Potts, who Joey is currently coupled up with and who turned his head away from Grace. Again, at first things seemed to be going well between the pair but in recent weeks he seems increasingly unable to control his jealousy.
Last week, Grace had to pick who she'd couple up with if she wasn't with her partner Reuben. She didn't pick Joey and he was quick to accuse her of copping out and said she obviously wanted to pick him because she still has feelings for him. Not only that, but he suggested Grace is only friends with his partner Jessy to get closer to him. He refused to drop it and the whole confrontation made the rest of the cast visibly uncomfortable; Joey has since been accused of bullying Grace.
Since then, things have gone down hill for the former The Only Way is Essex star. He is constantly arguing with the other islanders – including Jessy, Grace, Matilda, Mimii and all of the boys apart from Sean, who, to quote Matilda, has been 'wearing Joey's arsehole as a hat'.
It's been at many points unpleasant and even alarming viewing. When under pressure, Joey appears to opt for defensive and antagonistic language that has cost him close friends in the villa and may well cost him his partner as well.
He's gone from loveable TOWIE 'himbo' to something more complex, which has called the future of his career into question, with viewers expressing their disappointment in the reality star on social media. One viewer concluded on X, 'Coming on Love Island was the worse career move that Joey Essex has made in his 13 years of being a television personality.' Another agrees, 'Joey Essex going into Love Island was probably one of the worst decisions for his career - he needs to sack his management.' Another X user wrote, 'Joey Essex is the most embarrassing man on this earth. It is actually so mortifying he’s been on telly for all these years and has no clue how to handle himself.'
At the age of 33, Joey is a fair bit older than the others on the show. He is also far more experienced in the world of reality TV and how volatile it can be. That being said, he has not been in such an intense environment for a prolonged period of time before – spending eight weeks in a villa with strangers, surrounded by cameras - and we don't see every moment that's filmed, with a short edit of each day summarising events.
It's no secret that Joey Essex has had a difficult upbringing – his mother died as a result of suicide when he was ten years old and he has spoken openly about the complex effects it has had on his life in the years since. He has also been a high profile reality star since he was 20 years old and the sheer quantity of shows he's been on suggest he has a complicated relationship with fame.
While none of these things excuse his behaviour, they offer context and insight into the dangers of working in the reality circuit. It's not an environment many people can thrive in, nor one many people benefit from in the aftermath. That being said, everyone loves a TV villain redemption arc and people are always deserving of the space to learn from their mistakes – whether that be on or off the show.
Let's hope that Joey can find himself in a happier place once he leaves the villa.
Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, covering TV, celebrity interviews, news and features.