Love Island SPOILER: Joey Essex’s ex girlfriend Grace opens up about their secret but ‘intense’ romance after entering the villa as a bombshell
By Rebecca Lawrence For Mailonline[1]
Published: 16:46, 14 June 2024 | Updated: 17:22, 14 June 2024
Joey Essex[2] is in for a rude awakening on Friday’s episode of Love Island as his ex-girlfriend Grace Jackson enters the villa.
Breakfast is rudely interrupted with arrival of Grace, Tiffany Leighton and Wil Anderson and the other Islanders quickly pick up on a vibe between Joey and Grace.
As the girls get to know the new Islanders, Nicole Samuel asks Grace: ‘So how do you know Joey then?
Grace confesses: ‘So, we met last year in Ibiza and it’s actually funny because he’s not my type at all. We had a bit of a holiday romance. It carried on when we were back home.
‘It was quite intense.
We were seeing each other for a few months. It kind of ended a little bit frosty to be honest and we’ve not really spoken since.’
Joey Essex is in for a rude awakening on Friday’s episode of Love Island as his ex-girlfriend Grace Jackson enters the villa
Breakfast is rudely interrupted with arrival of Grace Jackson, Tiffany Leighton and Wil Anderson- and they are certainly set to cause a stir in the Villa (Joey Essex pictured)
Joey’s feelings towards Grace are later put to the test as during a game of alcohol free beer pong he’s tasked with ‘picking two Islanders of the opposite sex for a three-way kiss.’
So who will Joey choose?
The TOWIE star was left visibly shocked when Grace entered the villa.
She is now set to confront him over their bitter split, MailOnline exclusively revealed on Thursday.
In the upcoming scenes, Joey is seen as he covers his mouth in shock and exclaims: ‘Oh my God.’
Turning to Sean Stone, he says: ‘I used to see that girl bruv…that blonde girl.’
Joey is currently coupled up with make-up artist Samantha Kenny after going on their first date during Tuesday night’s episode.
Sensing something is off, Samantha askes: ‘Do you know her?’
‘Yeah…it’s a long story man…’ he replies.
Three new bombshells are set to enter the Love Island villa during Friday night’s episode
Joey is left visibly shocked and it is soon revealed that he and Grace had a brief six week fling, but their relationship ended badly
Grace confesses: ‘So, we met last year in Ibiza and it’s actually funny because he’s not my type at all.
We had a bit of a holiday romance. It carried on when we were back home’
Joey’s feelings towards Grace are later put to the test as during a game of alcohol free beer pong he’s tasked with ‘picking two Islanders of the opposite sex for a three-way kiss’
A source told MailOnline: ‘Joey dated Grace for six weeks and she was less than impressed by the way their relationship ended.
‘There’s definitely some unfinished business between them and she isn’t going to hold back in expressing how she feels in the villa.
‘Despite pursuing her, Joey ended up dumping Grace, which left her feeling very confused.
‘She’s drop dead gorgeous, and Joey is bound to regret the way he treated her, not to mention the pressure it’s going to put on his new romance with Samantha.’
Grace, who’s from Manchester, slammed her former partners[3], blaming men for their lack of communication and not being able to ‘keep up’ with her jet set lifestyle.
Speaking ahead of her villa entrance, she said: ‘No guys have good communication and it’s painful. I like someone who doesn’t take themselves and life too seriously.
‘My lifestyle can put guys off a little bit, I like to go out and go abroad a lot.
They can’t keep up with my lifestyle. It’s the life that I want, and it helps with my business.
‘To sit in and be single, I can’t understand why I would do that in my peak and my mid-20s.’
Joey and Samantha enjoyed a date earlier this week in which they shared cocktails together at a rooftop bar in Mallorca.
The new couple discussed the possibility of Samantha moving from Liverpool to Essex to continue their relationship outside of the show.
To Joey’s surprise, Samantha confirmed, ‘Yes, I’d live there.’
On Wednesday, Islanders Patsy Field and Munveer Jabbal were dumped from the series.
Turning to Sean Stone, he says: ‘I used to see that girl bruv…that blonde girl’
A source told MailOnline: ‘Joey dated Grace for six weeks and she was less than impressed by the way their relationship ended’
Joey and Samantha enjoyed a date earlier this week in which they shared cocktails together at a rooftop bar in Mallorca
Their co-stars chose to send them home after they were amongst three couples who received the fewest votes from the public.
Speaking on Instagram, Munveer spoke of his ‘frustration’ after being axed from the show after 10 days.
He said: ‘I’m out the Love Island villa, the overriding emotion right now is frustration but equally grateful for the opportunity. I didn’t just go there for a long holiday, I did go there to find love, which unfortunately that didn’t happen…
But that’s fine.
‘Above all, thank you for your kind messages, it means so much to me, so many kind words, which make me feel so much better about myself.’
Love Island continues Friday at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX
LOVE ISLAND 2024: MEET THE CONTESTANTS[4]
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.
NAME: Grace Jackson
AGE: 25
FROM: Manchester
OCCUPATION: Model and social media marketing coordinator
WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? No guys have good communication and it’s painful. I like someone who doesn’t take themselves and life too seriously.
My lifestyle can put guys off a little bit, I like to go out and go abroad a lot.
They can’t keep up with my lifestyle. It’s the life that I want, and it helps with my business.
NAME: Wil Anderson
AGE: 23
FROM:Whitley Bay
OCCUPATION: Quantity surveyor
WHYDID YOU WANT TO GO ON LOVE ISLAND? I wanted to be single for the last year because I’ve been in two serious relationships from the age of 18 but, now I feel like it’s time to put myself back out there. I want to feel that love again
NAME: Tiffany Leighton
AGE: 25
FROM: Hertfordshire
OCCUPATION: HR co-ordinator
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF? I’m fit, I’m bubbly and I don’t care what anyone thinks.
I’ll bring some spice, spontaneity and bring my best flirting game.
References
- ^ Rebecca Lawrence For Mailonline (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Joey Essex (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ slammed her former partners (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ LOVE ISLAND 2024: MEET THE CONTESTANTS (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Love Island (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Joey Essex (www.dailymail.co.uk)