Joey Essex claims he purposely played the ‘pantomime villain’ on Love Island because he ‘knows what producers want’ and hints his reality TV career is over after ‘doing every show possible’

Joey Essex claims he played the ‘pantomime villain’ on Love Island on purpose because the other contestants weren’t prepared to provide the same kind of entertainment.

The 34-year-old became the first celebrity contestant to join the ITV2 show, having previously fronted a string of reality TV projects including The Jump, Celebs Go Dating, Dancing On Ice and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

Joey admitted on Thursday’s episode of This Morning that he is taking a ‘big break’ from the reality genre after receiving criticism for his behaviour in the villa. He said he was involved in the show and then took a ‘big break’.

But the TV personality, who was dumped along with his partner Jessy Potts just hours before the final, defended his actions, claiming the contestants were ‘encouraged’ to cause a ruckus.

He said: ‘Everyone is encouraged to stir, the difference with me is that I don’t hesitate… I know what the producers want!’

‘Some didn’t want to go out there and upset people and I respect that, but the difference with me, with my 13 years of experience, is that I know what to do and I did it.’

Joey admitted he played the ‘pantomime villain’, adding: ‘I have no regrets, you know how it is, and I played the pantomime villain. I did what I had to do, I wanted to have fun and find love and I found Jessy.’

When asked if they had said the “love” word to each other yet, Jessy said, “We don’t want to rush things.”

On dealing with the pressures of fame, she added: ‘I think it’s a lot easier being with Joey. I’m really enjoying the whole process and we’re just taking our time and even though people ask so many questions, we don’t feel the pressure to rush anything… we just take our time and enjoy each other’s company.’

Joey revealed that Jessy has already visited his old stomping ground, telling the hosts: ‘I brought her back to Essex yesterday, she was back with me within 12 hours! She went home and the next morning she was back with me at 9am.’

When asked if he’s afraid of Jessy’s father, he said: ‘Her dad is a legend… he gives you the biggest handshake I’ve ever had!’

Joey then revealed that his reality TV career is over after appearing on Love Island series 11.

He confessed: ‘I’m taking a break from reality TV. I’ve been on every show you can think of.’

He added: ‘I wouldn’t want to do Strictly. It wasn’t hard to see the headlines, not everyone is going to love you all the time. I’m strong-minded and very resilient.’

Speaking about how Jessy’s life has changed, she admitted: ‘My life has completely changed, I’ve gone from a normal nine-to-five account management job to sitting on the (This Morning) sofa with you guys! So it’s completely different but I’m loving every second of it.’

Joey explained why he signed up for the show: ‘I loved the show and when the opportunity came up I immediately said, I’m going to go for it.’

‘I went into the villa, that was my main goal (to find love) and also have fun. And that’s exactly what I did – love is in the air! We’re exclusive.’

The reality star was previously accused of bullying during his time on the show.

However, he argued that the producers were dependent on him to create drama because of his experience in the television industry.

This came after Joey spoke out about claims that he received preferential treatment on the show.

The star sparked speculation among ITV viewers during the competition, who wondered if he had been brought in simply to stir up some tension and bring some much-needed drama to the villa.

In a new interview with Tthe sun Joey admitted that he turned on the camera when the villa needed to be spruced up. He was reportedly told to deliver specific scenes.

He told the publication: ‘We’re all here to find love, but there’s got to be a journey, there’s got to be drama. So, you know, I had to be that person.’

“I did this because I was filming a TV show.”

Joey joked, “To keep the series going, I was needed in a lot of situations to help move the story forward.

“I mean, I need to see a doctor right now because my back is hurting from carrying that show so hard.”

He also suggested that one of the challenges, which involved him kissing Nicole Samuel, 24, in front of his love interest Jessy, was organised by the producers.

During the series, Joey was seen interfering in Mimii’s situations as well as that of his ex Grace Jackson, who is 25.

However, Joey has denied all claims that he was a bully and continues to maintain that he was ordered to talk to certain people to create drama and keep storylines moving.

He added that he didn’t have much free time in the villa as he was brought in by producers to fuel the drama.

The reality star narrowly missed out on the final after he and Jessy were voted out by their fellow islanders.

Joey admitted it was a “barbaric” dumping and that he found it difficult to process, despite his experience in reality TV.

He added that he would advise producers never to put a young islander in the position they put him in, as it was a tough way to leave the villa, but thankfully he was able to cope with it thanks to his resilience.

ITV has been contacted for comment.

Joey maintained for a while that he didn’t get any special treatment during his time on Love Island because he was already a celebrity, but shortly after he left the show it became clear that this was the case.

Joey, who was introduced as a ‘bombshell’ in the show’s first week, was ‘promised the finale’ before he started on the show, MailOnline revealed this week.

He was reportedly furious when he was sent packing, but Joey insisted to The Sun that he never intended to win. If he had wanted to win the show, he would have done things very differently and played it safe.

Sources close to the show told MailOnline the former TOWIE star was allowed to spend ‘two to three hours’ a day outside the villa, with producers and away from the cameras.

Insiders have previously said that Joey was given flowers by the production team to give to eventual winner Mimii, after he was criticised for his behaviour towards her and her partner Josh Oyinsan.