Inside Love Island’s Joey Essex and Grace Jackson’s ‘intense’ whirlwind ‘holiday fling’ before entering the villa – as their budding romance heats up

Bombshell Grace Jackson left ex-girlfriend Joey Essex completely stunned when she walked into the Love Island villa last week.

Joey, who is linked to Liverpudlian make-up artist Samantha Kenny, has already shared several steamy kisses with Grace during their night out together.

The former couple enjoyed a short-lived holiday romance in Ibiza last year, but it ended in an abrupt, bitter split.

Just days after her Love Island experience, Grace called their secret affair ‘intense’ and revealed their ‘months-long romance ended quite icily’.

And as the duo pick up where they left off, MailOnline takes a look at their previous romance.

The former couple enjoyed a short-lived holiday romance in Ibiza last year, but it ended in an abrupt, bitter split

Joey, who is linked to Liverpudlian make-up artist Samantha Kenny, has already shared several steamy kisses with Grace during their night out together

And as the duo pick up where they left off, MailOnline takes a look at their previous romance

How did they meet?

Although the couple have yet to reveal the ins and outs of their secret romance, Joey and Grace revealed they met on holiday in Ibiza last year.

Grace admitted that she and Joey continued their vacation for months after the trip ended, spending almost every day together.

Joey and Grace, who kept each other off their social media, continued dating despite her living in Manchester while Joey was in Essex.

During Friday’s episode, Grace told Nicole Samuel: ‘So we met in Ibiza last year and it’s actually funny because he’s not my type at all. We had a bit of a holiday romance. It continued when we got back home.

‘It was quite intense. We saw each other for a few months. To be honest, it ended a bit frosty and we haven’t spoken since.”

Although the couple have yet to reveal the ins and outs of their secret romance, Joey and Grace revealed they met on holiday in Ibiza last year.

Grace admitted that she and Joey continued their vacation for months after the trip ended, spending almost every day together

Joey and Grace, who kept each other off their social media, continued dating despite her living in Manchester while Joey was in Essex.

Why did they break up?

During Sunday night’s episode, Joey – who lives in Essex – revealed he had broken off their romance due to their long distance.

When Grace – who lives in Manchester – asked Joey what he was looking for in a relationship, Joey explained why their affair ended.

He said: ‘I’m looking for something serious. I only step into something if I am sure it will work.

‘With you and me, I had the feeling that the only thing standing in the way was the long distance. Other than the long distance, I felt like we would have gone further.

“Depending on what happens to me and you, we can make everything work. You weren’t willing to move to Essex and I wasn’t willing to move to Manchester.’

Grace said: ‘I actually want to move to London and am planning to. Anyway, regardless of that situation. So that would work better.’

During Sunday night’s episode, Joey – who lives in Essex – revealed he had broken off their romance due to their long-distance relationship.

When Grace – who lives in Manchester – asked Joey what he looks for in a relationship, Joey explained why their affair ended

Joey said, “With you and me, I felt like the only thing standing in the way was the long distance. Other than the long distance, I felt like we would have gone further. Depending on what happens to me and you, we can make everything work.”

How long were they dating?

Grace revealed she and Joey had been dating for ‘months’ after their Ibiza fling over the summer.

However, it now appears the pair dated longer than expected as both Joey and Grace wore matching Halloween outfits last October.

Reality star Joey posed for photos on Instagram at the time while dressed as The Joker, while Grace looked amazing as Harley Quinn.

The pair both posed for photos as the comic book duo in a parking lot, suggesting they were together for the spooky holiday, despite not actually sharing a photo together.

It appears the duo both missed their ‘intense romance’ as producers had to edit the bedroom scenes – after sharing a kiss in the pool earlier in the day.

A source said: ‘It’s been a long time since we’ve seen such chemistry on Love Island. We always wanted to bring sex back to the villa, but didn’t expect this kind of excitement so soon.

‘There was so much footage of Joey and Grace in Casa Amor, the bosses were spoiled for choice and some scenes had to be left out of the edit.

“Because they knew each other before, their whole relationship is moving quickly and it’s steamy. Joey can’t keep his hands off her.’

Grace revealed she and Joey had been dating for ‘months’ after their Ibiza fling over the summer

However, it now appears the pair dated longer than expected as both Joey and Grace wore matching Halloween outfits last October

Reality star Joey posed for photos on Instagram at the time while dressed as The Joker, while Grace looked amazing as Harley Quinn