"I'll be disappointed" Love Island star Mitch comments on Joey Essex's possible return to the show 

Joey Essex
Joey Essex | Image Source: Instagram /@joeyessex

Love Island's notorious straight-talker Mitch is stirring the pot once again, this time aiming at reality TV veteran Joey Essex. In a recent interview discussing his career and upcoming Love Island All Stars, Mitch didn't hold back his thoughts on the possibility of Essex joining the show:

"I'll be disappointed with the production team if they put him in. As much as Joey is a great character, and plays his character well – he's fantastic TV – but Love Island isn't about celebrities."

Known for his controversial takes and dramatic moments during his original stint on the show, Mitch has promised to take his grievances to Snapchat if Essex, who made waves with his surprise appearance in last year's regular season, returns for All Stars.

The potential clash between Mitch, Love Island's self-proclaimed "Messy Mitch," and Essex, who rose to fame on The Only Way Is Essex before becoming one of the UK's most recognizable reality TV personalities, has already got fans talking about what could be one of the most dramatic seasons yet.

What exactly are Love Island’s Mitch’s qualms with Joey?

For Mitch, the issue isn't personal but philosophical. His main contention centers around what he believes is the core essence of Love Island. Using a sporting analogy to drive his point home, he explained:

"It's like sticking Ronaldo in Port Vale's team or something. It would be just be made all about him."

The comparison, while amusing, underlines his serious concern about maintaining the show's original premise of turning everyday people into stars.

Reflecting on Essex's previous appearance in the franchise, Mitch expressed sympathy for his fellow contestants:

"I felt bad for the other contestants because it was very much the Joey show."

This ambitious criticism highlights a broader debate about the show's evolution and potential drift from its original format. Mitch's concern about the show becoming celebrity-focused rather than staying true to its roots of featuring members of the general public seems to be at the heart of his opposition.

Despite his objections, Mitch appears convinced that Essex's return is more than just speculation. "I heard rumours that Joey might be going back in, and I'd probably put my savings on it and bet that he does," he revealed. However, he's skeptical about Essex's chances of winning, adding,

"And he is a hard worker, so he'll last the five weeks. But I don't think he'll win, because he doesn't want a girlfriend out of it."

Mitch’s predictions for the future of the franchise

Mitch's most dramatic prediction concerns the show's future itself. He said:

"I think it'll kill the show if Joey goes back into Love Island, because it's the general public who are being made famous and Joey Essex is already a celebrity. So I don't know why they'd do it,"

This stark warning reflects a broader concern about the direction of reality TV shows and their tendency to increasingly feature established celebrities rather than newcomers.

In classic Mitch fashion, he's already planned his retort if Essex joins the All Stars cast. His commitment to "talk crap about Joey Essex on my Snapchat if he goes in" implies that the turmoil will not be limited to the island (everyone clapped).

This prospective social media showdown might bring an added layer of excitement for viewers, even if it's not exactly what the show's creators envisioned.

While the rumors of Essex's return remain unconfirmed, Mitch's outspoken comments have already succeeded in generating buzz around the upcoming All Stars season. Whether or not Essex returns to the villa, it's clear that Mitch remains committed to speaking his mind – a quality that earned him his "Messy" nickname in the first place.


Love Island All Stars is set to premiere on Monday, January 15, 2024, at 9 PM across ITV1, ITV2, and ITVX.

Edited by Debanjana
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