Love Island bombshell Joey Essex has wasted no time getting settled into the villa and has snogged three bikini-clad beauties on his first day.
And while this might not make him very popular with the other men in the villa, he’s already been voted odds-on favourite to win.
During a game of dares, Joey found himself kissing Samantha Kenny, Harriett Blackmore and Nicole Samuel.
Yet it seems Samantha’s head was elsewhere because when Samantha was dared to kiss the Islander who she had an instant connection with, she immediately turned to Ronnie Vint.
Ronnie didn’t return the favour, however, as when dared to kiss the two Islanders with the ‘best bodies’ he chose Jess White and Harriett, leaving Samantha less than impressed.
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Love Island bombshell Joey Essex has wasted no time getting settled into the villa and has snogged three bikini-clad beauties on his first day
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During a game of dares, Joey found himself kissing (L-R) Nicole, Samantha and Harriett
Elsewhere during the episode, Samantha was dared to kiss the Islander who she had an instant connection with and wastes no time in leaning in for a smooch with Ronnie.
Ronnie was then dared to kiss the two Islanders who he thinks have the best bodies and he chose Jess and Harriett, leaving Samantha less than impressed.
It appears the kiss set off a spark between himself and Jess as they soon headed up to the terrace for a chat.
Jess said: ‘I’m happy with how things are going. I’m not going to complain.’
Ronnie replied: ‘First kiss done.’ Jess then asked: ‘What do you rate it out of ten?’ Ronnie said: ‘9.6.’
Getting flirty, Jess said: ‘What was the room for improvement?’
Ronnie replied: ‘I don’t know. Do you want to see now?’ before they lock lips once more.
Things also heat up between Love Island’s Mimii Ngulube and Ayo Odukoya during the sexy game of dares.
While sat around the firepit, each Islander will pick a phone out of a box and whoever’s phone it is will have to complete a dare.
Mimii, who is currently in a couple with Munveer Jabbal after they were both voted ‘most relationship material’, is dared to snog the Islander she’d rather be coupled up with.
The mental health nurse, 24, heads over to model Ayo, 25, and the pair share a passionate kiss, just hours after their flirty chat.
Reflecting on the kiss in the Beach Hut, Mimii says: ‘I’ll give him his accolades – it was a good kiss.’
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Elsewhere during the episode, Jess White and Ronnie Vint shared a kiss on the terrace
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The kiss left Samantha (pictured) less than impressed after she had chosen Ronnie as the islander who she had an instant connection with
The news comes after it emerged Joey 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.
His arrival led to the show being streamed 2.1 million times, an uplift of 24 percent on the same episode last year and gave ITVX its best day for six weeks.
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.
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.’
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Joey had been getting to know the girls and was earlier pulled for a chat by the ladies
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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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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
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.
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.
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