Mark Labbett took a savage swipe at Joey Essex on Tuesday as he brutally reposted a tweet which mocked the former TOWIE star’s age.
Joey, 33, who is the oldest contestant in the lineup, was recently deemed ‘too old’ to take part in the reality series, as sources close to him claimed he doesn’t ‘need’ the exposure.
However, it appears Mark, aka ‘The Beast’, 58, is not too keen on the controversial signing either as he took to X to repost a brutal tweet from Out of Context Football Manager.
The tweet slammed Joey by saying: ‘Joey Essex is 33, he should not be on Love Island.’
They added: ‘At that age I wouldn’t even sign him on Football Manager.’
Mark Labbett took a savage swipe at Joey Essex on Tuesday as he brutally reposted a tweet which mocked the former TOWIE star’s age (Mark pictured in September 2023)
Joey, 33, who is the oldest contestant in the lineup, was recently deemed ‘too old’ to take part in the reality series but sources close to the TV personality revealed he doesn’t ‘need’ the exposure
However, one fan of the TV star slammed back with: ‘What you even doing watching it, that’s as tragic as this post. (sic)’
It comes after Sam Taylor was sent packing from the Love Island villa after just 24 hours following Joey’s bombshell arrival.
Joey uprooted Sam from his place in the competition as he stole the hairdresser’s love interest, Samantha Kenny.
Sam was left single by the shock move and promptly told he must pack his bags and leave.
Joey had spent the day flirting up a storm with several of the girls, before announcing his final decision at the firepit.
He said: ‘I have decided to couple up with this girl because the last 24 hours in this villa has been the most flirtatious.
‘It’s been tough because I’ve got to know you girls on a nice level and I’ve got to know you guys but this is Love Island.
‘I have had to go with my heart and it’s the right decision. The girl I would like to steal is Samantha.’
However, it appears Mark, aka ‘The Beast’, 58, is not too keen on the controversial signing either as he took to X to repost a brutal tweet from Out of Context Football Manager
However, tensions are set to rise even more as Joey moves on with Harriett Blackmore in the Hideaway.
In scenes set to air on Wednesday’s show, Joey gets hands-on with Harriett, much to the dismay of Samantha.
Viewers took to X to say Sam ‘didn’t deserve’ to be evicted and had already made his place as a firm fan favourite.
They wrote: ‘No Sam didn’t deserve this’ and ‘Sam leaving is criminal’.
‘Love Island producers better find a way to bring back Sam cause everyone is MAD that he is gone. He was one of the finest person in that villa too’
‘What do you mean Sam is gone? I need him back’.
Speaking of his exit, Sam said: ‘I’m disappointed to be leaving so soon as I wanted to work my magic and get to know everyone a bit better.
‘When Joey walked in I had a feeling I might be in trouble. Samantha is a stunning girl and I knew that they would get on.
‘We were all buzzing to meet him, he’s such a big character, it was great getting to know him. Ultimately, he had to do what he had to do which didn’t work in my favour but no hard feelings.’
Joey made a shock arrival at the end of Monday night’s launch and Tuesday’s episode kicked off with Maya Jama delivering bombshell news.
The host, 29, told islanders Joey has to steal one girl from one of the pairings, meaning the now single male will be sent home.
As the ladies gushed over their celebrity resident, fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to joke the ‘lads are bricking it’.
They wrote: ‘This is going to cause carnage’ and ‘The lads are BRICKING it #loveIsland I live for these moments’.
It comes after Sam Taylor was sent packing from the Love Island villa after just 24 hours following Joey’s bombshell arrival
Former The Only Way Is Essex star Joey uprooted Sam from his place in the competition as he stole the hairdresser’s love interest, Samantha Kenny
Joey said: ‘I have had to go with my heart and it’s the right decision. The girl I would like to steal is Samantha’
‘The boys are stressed’ and ‘Joey better not send Munveer or Ayo home, I like their personalities in the villa!’
‘I was literally just saying how it’s only a matter of time till they bring back the early dumping at the first recoupling. It’s been years!!!!’.
Others questioned Joey’s motive after he said he had gone to the villa to ‘find love’.
One wrote: ‘Joey Essex is not a serious somebody, he’s here for the money’, while another said: ‘still feel like putting a celebrity in there with all newbies is weird. It’s such a massive advantage to already have such a huge following. Joey would’ve been a better fit in the All Stars show.’
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 star 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.
Speaking of his exit, Sam said: ‘I’m disappointed to be leaving so soon as I wanted to work my magic and get to know everyone a bit better’
However tensions are set to rise even more as Joey moves on with Harriett Blackmore in the Hideaway In scenes set to air on Wednesday’s show
Viewers took to X to say Sam ‘didn’t deserve’ to be evicted and had already made his place as a firm fan favourite
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.’
Love Island continues on Wednesday night on ITV2 and ITVX at 9pm.
LOVE ISLAND 2024: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
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.
