Joey Essex claims Love Island signed him up to bring drama to the villa, as he hits back at claims he received preferential treatment on the show.
The 33-year-old TOWIE star sparked speculation among ITV viewers during the competition, with viewers wondering if he had been brought in simply to stir up some tension and bring some much-needed drama to the villa.
He told the publication: ‘We’re all here to find love, but there’s got to be a journey, there’s got to be drama. So, you know, I had to be that person.’
“I would turn it on, I would do my own scene, and if I was involved in someone else’s work, it’s because I was sucked into that situation.
Joey Essex claims Love Island signed him to bring drama into the villa as he speaks out over claims he received preferential treatment on the show
ITV viewers were left wondering if he had been brought in just to stir up some emotions and inject some much-needed drama into the villa. (Pictured with Jessy Potts)
“I did this because I was filming a TV show.”
He also suggested that one of the challenges, which involved him kissing Nicole Samuel in front of his lover Jessy Potts, was staged by the producers. He said: ‘Do you think I would go up to a girl and kiss her in front of her boyfriend, when the girl I actually have feelings for is standing next to her?’
ITV has been contacted for comment.
Joey maintained for a while that he didn’t get any special treatment during his time on Love Island because he was already a celebrity, but shortly after he left the show it became clear that this was the case.
Joey, who was introduced as a ‘bombshell’ in the show’s first week, was ‘promised the finale’ before he started on the show, MailOnline revealed this week.
He was reportedly furious when he and his partner Jessy were sent packing from the show on Sunday night after the ex-Islanders voted them the least compatible couple.
Sources close to the show say the former TOWIE star was allowed to spend ‘two to three hours’ a day outside the villa, with producers and away from the cameras.
Insiders have previously said that Joey was given flowers by the production team to give to eventual winner Mimii Ngulube after he was criticised for his behaviour towards her and her partner Josh Oyinsan.
In a new interview with the Sun, he admitted he would ‘turn it on’ if the villa needed spicing up – and was reportedly ordered to deliver scenes
He told the publication: ‘We’re all there to find love, but there’s got to be a journey, there’s got to be drama – so you know, I had to be that guy
Last week’s episode saw Joey give Mimii a bouquet of flowers to apologize after getting into a fight with her during an earlier challenge.
However, ITV have now said: ‘Joey was not treated differently at any point in the process, before, during or after appearing on the series. We completely reject any allegations as all Islanders are treated equally.’
Upon entering the villa, ITV producers previously stated: ‘Joey will be treated like any other Love Island contestant, he plays by the same rules and will not get any preferential treatment.
“He received no compensation or money whatsoever for his participation in the show, not a cent.”
This week it was reported that Joey, who is already worth £8million, is set to earn a whopping £250,000 from a club tour after his departure from Love Island.
This came after it was revealed that he was paid no more for his participation in the show than the other contestants: around £375 a week.
During the series finale on Monday night, fans claimed he looked “angry” and “bitter.”
Viewers admitted they couldn’t ignore his disinterested facial expressions as the cameras lingered on him during the show.
He was reportedly furious when he and his partner Jessy were sent packing from the show on Sunday night after the ex-Islanders voted them the least compatible couple.
Insiders also say that Joey was given flowers by the production team to present to eventual winner Mimii Ngulube after he was criticised for his behaviour towards her and partner Josh Oyinsan.
Just this week it was reported that Joey, who is already worth £8million, is set to earn a whopping £250,000 from a club tour following his departure from Love Island.
They speculated he was unhappy he didn’t make it to the final with Jessy, 25, after leaving the villa just a day earlier.
On the show, Joey was called “arrogant,” “problematic,” and “embarrassing.”
In one episode he even received 120 complaints to Ofcom for his behaviour towards former contestant Samantha Kenny.
Meanwhile, Mimii Ngulube and Josh Oyinsan won the eleventh season of Love Island in a thrilling final on Monday night.
Presenter Maya Jama revealed that the couple had received the highest percentage of the public vote and will take home the £50,000 cash prize.
Mimii Ngulube and Josh Oyinsan won Love Island season 11
Nicole and Ciaran finished the show in second place
Mimii, 24, and Josh, 29, have made Love Island history as the first black couple to win the series since the show’s reboot in 2015.
The couple were in the final with Nicole and Ciaran Davies, Matilda Draper and Sean Stone and Jessica Spencer and Ayo Odukoya.
Jessica and Ayo finished in fourth place, while Matilda and Sean took third place in the reality show competition.
Nicole and Ciaran finished second in the final, with viewers ultimately voting to crown Mimii and Josh the winners.