Love Island bombshell Joey Essex is ‘looking for a wife in the villa’ after signing up to the show for the ‘right reasons.’

The former TOWIE star, who at 33 is the oldest contestant in the lineup, already has fame and 1.8million Instagram followers, with sources close to the TV personality saying he doesn’t ‘need’ the exposure.

Joey made Love Island history on Monday night when he became the first celebrity to join the cast of singletons, who are otherwise unknown.

According to insiders, Joey, who’s also starred on I’m A Celeb, Dancing On Ice, Ex on the Beach, and Celebs Go Dating, wants to ‘settle down’ and find someone he can start a family with.

And ITV bosses are hoping the format twist will boost ratings and fans of Joey will engage with his love story.

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Love Island bombshell Joey Essex is ‘looking for a wife in the villa’ after signing up to the show for the ‘right reasons’

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The former TOWIE star, who at 33 is the oldest contestant in the lineup, already has fame and 1.8million Instagram followers, with sources close to the TV personality saying he doesn’t ‘need’ the exposure

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View gallery

Joey made Love Island history on Monday night when he became the first celebrity to join the cast of singletons, who are otherwise unknown

A TV source told MailOnline: ‘Joey has signed up to Love Island for all the right reasons.

‘He’s 33 years old and really wants to find someone he can settle down with, he wants a wife and to have children one day.

‘Not many people know the real Joey, over the years he’s hidden behind his reality TV persona but being on Love Island will give him the opportunity to show his true self.

‘He doesn’t need fame, followers, or the prize money… He’s excited to meet someone and can’t wait to start dating.’

The show’s launch ended on a cliffhanger with Joey entering the villa, introduced by host Maya Jama.

Visibly shocked, the cast, already in their couples, questioned whether Joey’s arrival was a ‘joke’ after recognising the bombshell from his previous TV stints.

Joey, who found fame on The Only Way Is Essex in 2011, has become known for his reality TV exploits, which has seen him appear on over 10 shows.

And his love life has played out on a public scale, after his romance with former co-star Sam Faiers, 33, ended in heartbreak and he’s since failed to have a long-term relationship.

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According to insiders, Joey, who’s starred on I’m A Celeb, Dancing On Ice, Ex on the Beach, and Celebs Go Dating, wants to ‘settle down’ and find someone he can start a family with (pictured with Chloe Sims)

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View gallery

Joey, who found fame on The Only Way Is Essex in 2011, has become known for his reality TV exploits, which has seen him appear on over 10 shows

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View gallery

His love life has played out on a public scale, after his romance with former co-star Sam Faiers ended in heartbreak and he’s since failed to have a long-term relationship

He’s dated the likes of model Amy Willerton, 31, after the two met in the Australian jungle, US reality star Stephanie Pratt, 38, following their joint appearance on Celebs Go Dating and Lorena Medina, 32, who starred alongside him on Ex on the Beach.

He was also rumoured to have a fling with his Dancing On Ice professional partner Vanessa Bauer, 28, after they performed together in 2023.

Joey has connected with his fan base over the years through his TV appearances, some of which have been more personal than others.

In 2021, the Essex star shared his story in BBC documentary Grief and Me, which saw him open up about his mother’s suicide.

When he was just 10, Joey’s mum took her own life, and he explained how the deep loss left him unable to process his emotions for years.