JOEY Essex begged a Love Island boss for his spot on the show in a bid to find romance. The Towie star, 33 , shocked the villa by entering the show at the end of day one - after a 'military operation' to make sure his inclusion was kept under wraps. Speaking exclusively to The Sun ahead of his time in the villa, Joey admitted it was his idea to appear on the ITV2 series , calling in a favour to make it happen.
"I’ve always wanted to go on Love Island and I’ve known Mike Spencer (Love Island Creative Director) since the very first day I started my journey into TV on The Only Way Is Essex ," he said. "Myself and my cousin Chloe [Sims] think really highly of Mike and it’s almost as if we’ve been on this journey together because when I think back to my first memories of being on TV Mike was always around and there to support us." "It felt like the right time to give the Villa a shot, so I called Mike to ask him if I could apply and he said go for it," he added.
"Mike’s a creative genius and has thought of a way to bring me into the mix and personally I think it’s the greatest stunt that Love Island has ever pulled." Joey is hoping that by going on the show he will get the opportunity for someone to 'see the real him' after failing to find love on the outside world. "I can’t control my excitement.
This is the time, this is everything to me because it’s the perfect moment," he said. "The stars are aligned because this opportunity could not have come at a better time.
