How much Joey Essex will earn for Love Island appearance after villa entrance left viewers stunned
The latest season of Love Island kicked off on Monday (3 June) and it's safe to say we're in for a whole lot of drama, bombshell revelations and shock moments this summer.
Now, we already knew the line-up of contestants for the dating show ahead of time but the inclusion of none other than The Only Way Is Essex star, Joey Essex, clearly left many ITV viewers in total disbelief.
But, how much will the reality TV veteran pocket for his shocking Love Island appearance?
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Now, the 33-year-old is no stranger to reality TV after appearing on TOWIE, I'm A Celebrity: Get Me Out Of Here!, Educating Joey Essex, Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity MasterChef, Celebrity Ex on the Beach, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and *deep breath* Celebs Go Dating: The Mansion.
Then even more followed, including a documentary he presented about the loss of his mother to suicide when he was just 10-years-old, Joey Essex: Grief and Me.
To date, he's been on a whopping 17 reality shows - and that's without counting his guest appearances.
His current appearance on Love Island is a move nobody saw coming - he is the show's first ever celebrity bombshell, after all.
So, why did he decide to rock up to the villa?
Well, Joey told viewers: "I just want someone to like me for me and now from what they see on TV.
"This is exactly why I’m going into the villa because you’re disconnected from the rest of the world and can focus on what actually matters on a far deeper level."
He also told The Sun he's 'extremely single right now', and hopes to finally find that special someone.
Joey added: "I’m praying that I’m going to walk out of the villa hand in hand with the love of my life, that’s my main aim and all I care about.
"It’s difficult for me to meet girls on the outside as they judge me based on a persona, so I think this experience will allow for people to see the real me."
And what will he be raking in for his appearance on the show?
Well, according to MailOnline, each contestant usually receives 'around £375 a week' and Joey will be no different.
A TV source told the outlet: "Joey is being treated like any other Love Island contestant, he's playing by the same rules and won't be given any preferential treatment.
"He hasn't been paid an appearance fee or any money at all for signing up to the show, not a penny.
"On Love Island, it is all about the exposure and for Joey, it means more than that too... He's looking for someone to settle down with, so it's not about the money he can make on the other side."
ITV declined to comment.
Topics: Joey Essex, Celebrity, Love Island, ITV, TV And Film, Reality TV, Money
Rhiannon Ingle