Joey Essex’s sister Frankie believes their late mother ‘put him on Love Island’ as she gushes ‘I think she would be really proud of us both’
By Kirsten Murray For Mailonline[1]
Published: 13:15, 11 June 2024 | Updated: 13:21, 11 June 2024
Joey Essex[2]‘s sister Frankie has revealed she believes their late mother ‘put him on Love Island’ after the reality star’s shock bombshell entrance on the show last week.
The former TOWIE[3] star, 33, didn’t even tell his family he would be appearing on the ITV dating show [4]after they shared their surprise on social media while watching the launch.
And now his older sister Frankie, 36, has revealed she thinks their mother pulled some strings beyond the grave to get him onto the programme, because she ‘would have loved to see him settle down’.
Joey and Frankie’s mum Tina tragically committed suicide in 2001, when Joey was just 10 years of age, after battling depression in silence.[5]
During an interview with New magazine, Frankie said: ‘I actually said to one of my friends that I believe our mum put him on the show – she would have loved to see him settle down. I think she would be really proud of us both.’
Joey Essex’s sister Frankie has confessed she believes their late mother ‘put him on Love Island’ as she gushed ‘I think she would be really proud of us both’
The former TOWIE star, 33, didn’t even tell his family he would be appearing on the ITV dating show after they shared their surprise on social media while watching the launch
Joey mentioned his mum’s loss on the show as he confessed while he never used to talk about it, he has now realises how important it is be open about it.
Speaking in light of Men’s Health Week, which focuses on male mental health, Frankie added that it was nice for Joey to open up about her.
‘I was really proud of him because it’s something you never really get over, you just learn to live with it. You need to keep their memory alive, and Joey is doing that.’
Frankie insisted the TOWIE alum agreed to do the show because he ‘genuinely just wants to settle down now’.
When asked if her brother was looking for lasting love, she said: ‘He really is, 100 per cent.
I think all Islanders are, to be honest, except maybe the odd few who could be playing a game. Joey has done it all before and dated in the public eye, so he genuinely just wants to settle down now.’
Frankie, who shares twins Logan and Luella, two, with her partner Luke Love, also confirmed that she thinks Joey would love to become a dad one day and she would love a niece or nephew.
Joey is currently coupled up with Samantha Kenny, however the pair looked to be hitting a rough patch on Monday night after she confronted Joey on why he isn’t very PDA with her.
Frankie admitted she is supportive of her brother’s quest to find love, but will be keeping an eye on who he’s partnered up with and what people are saying about her online.
Frankie, 36, has revealed she thinks their mother pulled some strings beyond the grave to get him onto the programme, because she ‘would have loved to see him settle down’. Tina died in 2001 after battling depression in silence
She added: ‘I was really proud of him because it’s something you never really get over, you just learn to live with it. You need to keep their memory alive, and Joey is doing that’ (pictured in 2013)
Frankie, who shares twins Logan and Luella, two, with her partner Luke Love, also confirmed that she thinks Joey would love to become a dad one day and she would love a niece or nephew
Joey is currently coupled up with Samantha Kenny, however the pair looked to be hitting a rough patch on Monday night after she confronted Joey on why he isn’t very PDA with her
Meanwhile fans slammed Samantha over her ‘awkward’ reaction when Joey kissed Jess over a saucy dare during the Sunday night’s challenge
Love Island fans slammed Samantha over her ‘awkward’ reaction when Joey kissed Jess over a saucy dare during the Sunday night’s challenge.[6]
Joey had to do a dare which ordered: ‘Snog the islander who you’d be with if you weren’t with your girl.’
The reality star was visibly embarrassed in the situation and was captured struggling to make a choice.
And Samantha didn’t hold back from inciting him to make his choice although she looked fuming, saying: ‘Go on, big man. Go on.
I’m not bothered.
‘It’s just a game. Not a***d.’
Later in the Diary Room, Joey told: ‘Ah, mate. I didn’t know what to do.
Do I kiss myself?’
Viewers of the ITV2 show raced to X to comment Samantha’s reaction, branding it as ‘unnecessary’ and ‘awkward’ and remarked ‘it was just a game’.
They wrote: ‘Samantha made that so awkward for Joey saying she’s “not a***d” over and over again making it very clear she was indeed A***D. Weirdo energy’;
‘Why is Samantha the way she is’;
‘JOEY IS FRIGHTENED ABOUT SAMANTHA LMAOO POOR JOEY’;
LOVE ISLAND 2024: MEET THE CONTESTANTS[7]
NAME: Mimii Ngulube
AGE: 24
FROM: Portsmouth
OCCUPATION: Mental Health Nurse
WHY LOVE ISLAND? The pool in Portsmouth is not giving. I’ve tried dating, speaking to people on social media and it just hasn’t been successful.
Applying was a spontaneous thing, I didn’t expect to get here!
WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE VILLA? My girls are my rocks and I’m theirs so I’ll be a good friend as well as going in there to find a man. I like dressing up so I’ll bring style, and I’d like to think I’m quite funny so I’ll make people laugh. Bringing honesty as well – I’m good at picking up on people’s personality traits and side-eyeing those who might be a liar.
NAME: Patsy Field
AGE: 29
FROM: Orpington
OCCUPATION: Office Administrator
WHAT DO YOU WANT THE ISLANDERS TO KNOW? I’ve got something very special about me which is my disability, it’s a condition I was born with called Ebs Palsy.
It doesn’t define who I am , but it makes me a little different, although I’ve learnt to get on with it and it’s never held me back.
HOW WOULD FRIENDS/FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU? My friends would say that I’m the loudest person in the group, I’m the one who’s always up for doing a dare, the life and soul of the party. My family would say that I’m bossy and that it’s always my way or the highway, they’d say I rule the roost.
NAME: Sean Stone
AGE: 24
FROM: Hertford
OCCUPATION: Sweet Salesman
WHY LOVE ISLAND? I’ve always been one for relationships and when you have found someone you want to be with it’s the best feeling. Now is the perfect time, the one thing that is missing is my soulmate.
HOW WOULD FRIENDS/FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU? Very loving, caring and thoughtful.
I’m the kind of guy that if you broke down on the motorway and needed your tyre changed, I’d be there at any time of night.
NAME: Harriett Blackmore
AGE: 24
FROM: Brighton
OCCUPATION: Dancer & Personal Shopper
WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE VILLA? I’ll bring the entertainment for everyone in the Villa, whether that’s making the girls laugh or making the boys turn their heads, I’m sure that I’ll bring the drama.
CLAIM T0 FAME? Being a bit of an IT girl in Brighton, I’ve done personal shopping for the rapper Arrdee and one of my best friends is Saffron Barker the YouTuber.
NAME: Ayo Odukoya
AGE: 25
FROM: Canning Town
OCCUPATION: Model
WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE VILLA? I think I’d bring excitement and joy. I think people would have someone to come to and talk to and feel comfortable being around or to have a laugh with. I think I’m somebody everyone would take to.
WHY SHOULD SOMEBODY DATE YOU? I feel like the way I carry myself is very respectful and I think people take to that and once you show who you are to somebody you get it back tenfold.
The way I am gives off a good enough energy for people to feel comfortable around me. 
NAME: Samantha Kenny
AGE: 26
FROM: Liverpool
OCCUPATION: Makeup Artist
WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE VILLA? I think I will definitely bring some fire, I’m very opinionated and wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m really bubbly too so I’ll definitely have a laugh as well as bringing some scouse glamour.WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? I don’t get out enough, I work weekends and tend to not go out in Liverpool anymore. If I want a night out I go down to London as I love the boys down south.
Tall, dark and cockney is my type. 
NAME: Munveer Jabbal
AGE: 30
FROM: Surbiton, Surrey
OCCUPATION: Recruitment Manager
WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? I haven’t found the right girl, I’m quite picky and have high standards. Dating in London is horrible. You don’t know who’s single… but now you’re putting me in a place where everyone’s single so there’s no issues around that. CLAIM T0 FAME? I’m mates with Spencer Morgan (Piers Morgan’s son).
We met when I moved to Fulham in 2018. 
NAME: Nicole Samuel
AGE: 24
FROM: Aberdare, Wales
OCCUPATION: Accounts Manager
WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? I’ve been enjoying single life and the attention of different boys, it’s fun. I’ve enjoyed being able to go on holiday with the girls and not having to worry about someone back home. All the girls are there texting in their room and I’m out till 4 in the morning living my best life.
WHAT IS SOMETHING NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU? I became a world champion dancer in 2011, not many people know that.
I was a professional street dancer.
NAME: Ronnie Vint
AGE: 27
FROM: South East London
OCCUPATION: Semi Professional Footballer
WHAT’S YOUR TYPE ON PAPER? I want someone that’s family orientated, caring and career minded. Lookwise, I like blondes with nice boobs but am partial to a brunette too.
CLAIM T0 FAME? Bradley Dack is my best friend and he and Olivia are a big part of my life. I call Olivia my big little sister, she always looks out for me.
NAME: Jess White
AGE: 25
FROM: Stockport
OCCUPATION: Retail Manager
WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? I don’t underestimate the fact that I’m hard work.
I know what I want and I’m not easily pleased. When you’re a loud, outgoing woman, sometimes it can intimidate men – men don’t always want that.
WHAT’S YOUR TYPE ON PAPER? I love a set of white Turkey teeth but a good set of Turkey teeth. I would say personality traits, you have to be family orientated.
You have to be tall, you can’t be shorter than me, I can’t be having to question whether I can wear heels around you and what height of heels I can wear. If you’re vertically challenged, it’s not for me.
NAME: Ciaran Davies
AGE: 21
FROM: Pencoed, South Wales
OCCUPATION: Surveyor
WHAT’S YOUR TYPE ON PAPER? Obviously looks but humour is a big thing for me, I’m a bit of a wind up so I want a girl who can give it back. Loyalty is another one for me, I think that’s the most important thing to look for in a relationship.
CLAIM T0 FAME? When I was in Malia on a boys holiday I pretended to be Liam Reardon from series 7 to get into a club because they wouldn’t let us in.
It worked and we ended up getting a private booth and free drinks all night.
NAME: Uma Jammeh
AGE: 23
FROM: Islington, north London
OCCUPATION: VIP host / model
WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? I feel like I’ve been so unlucky in love! It’s all been underwhelming so far. I don’t know what the reason is, I think it’s them, as it can’t be me!
CLAIM TO FAME? I was born in a closet in the hospital!
There were no rooms left, my poor Mum!
NAME: Joey Essex
AGE: 33
FROM: Chigwell, Essex
OCCUPATION: Reality star
CLAIM TO FAME? The Only Way Is Essex
FAMOUS EXES: Joey was in a relationship with fellow TOWIE star Sam Faiers from 2011 to 2014 with the pair getting engaged before they split.
He has also been spotted locking lips with former Love Island stars Ellie Brown and Maura Higgins.
He also dated his Dancing On Ice pro partner Vanessa Bauer.
NAME: Omar Nyame
AGE: 25
FROM: Croydon, London
OCCUPATION: PE Teacher
WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? People always assume that I’m a player and a flirt but really and truly that’s not me.
References
- ^ Kirsten Murray For Mailonline (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Joey Essex (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ TOWIE (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ didn’t even tell his family he would be appearing on the ITV dating show (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Tina tragically committed suicide in 2001, (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ slammed Samantha over her ‘awkward’ reaction when Joey kissed Jess over a saucy dare during the Sunday night’s challenge. (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ LOVE ISLAND 2024: MEET THE CONTESTANTS (www.dailymail.co.uk)