ONE of Joey Essex’s closest pals has had his say on wild fan theories that claim the hunk is a “producer plant” to stir up trouble in the villa.
Fans were left absolutely shellshocked when the reality TV legend strolled into the ITV2 villa on day one.
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Since then Joey has found himself getting to know Liverpudlian beauty Samantha Kenny on the programme.
However, the star was hit by claims that he was simply placed onto the programme to cause havoc and fans were quick to point out that he could be playing the “reality game”.
Now, reality TV pal Bobby Norris has defended the star and denied any suggestion that he was in there for any reason other than love.
Speaking on Fubar Radio‘s Access All Areas, Bobby said: “I love Joey and we worked together years and we go back about 12 or 13 years now – I haven’t spoken to him about him going into Love Island or anything but you can’t judge him because he’s in the public eye about whether his intentions are right or not.
“Dating is hard in the public eye, and also in general dating is hard.
“It’s a different kettle of fish now and gone are the days when people’s parents have been together since school.
“That’s lovely if you’ve been with someone since you’re 16 and that’s lovely in a fairytale, but that isn’t the way now.
“People can swipe left and right and the digital age means everyone sadly is edging their bets for the next best thing.”
Staunchly giving his backing, he slammed suggestion he had an “ulterior motive” amid the growing theories surrounding his appearnace.
Bobby continued: “Joey is lovely, he isn’t a bad guy, so I wouldn’t like to say he’s going in there with any ulterior motive and to be fair really, he doesn’t have to have an ulterior motive because he’s Joey Essex.
“He has a very good career, he’s doing alright for himself isn’t he.”
Fans had been left insisting that Joey was stirring the pot after he found himself involved in the love triangle between Ronnie Vint, Jess White and Harriett Blackmore.
Joey had been left telling Ronnie to take Harriett to the Hideaway for a chat knowing full well that it could cause mixed emotions among his other love interest Jess.
He had previously put Ciaran Davies on the spot when he insisted he needed to chose there and then between Nicole and Ciaran.
Discussing the star online, one wrote: “Joey is playing the reality game that’s what he does, he knows how to play.”
A second posted: “I’m telling you guys Joey was brought in to cause havoc.”
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“I take it back because adding Joey is one the best things the producers did this season,” a third said.
A fourth echoed: “Joey is giving producer lmao #loveIsland he’s too seasoned at stirring the pot lol.”
Another added: “Joey is such an instigator man. You can tell he’s being paid to make tv. And it’s just annoying. He’s in a couple with a girl that’s literally a fan because she was like 13/14 when Towie started.”
Love Island 2024 couples
The Islanders are all ‘coupled up’ in the villa.
The couples so far include:
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