Joey Essex says Love Island will be "my last ever reality show"
Love Island star Joey Essex has made a claim about his next career move after appearing on the reality show.
The Only Way Is Essex icon became the first celebrity contestant on the ITV dating show as he entered series 11 as the first bombshell - surprising his fellow islanders.
Joey, alongside partner Jessy Potts, was booted from the Villa just before the final, which saw Josh Oyinsan and Mimii Ngulube take home the grand prize.
The star caused plenty of controversy during his time on the show, with viewers and his costars alike outraged by how he treated others in the villa, including former flame Grace Jackson who he told to "shut her mouth" during an explosive row.
Related: Love Island's Joey Essex and Jessy Potts share update in first Instagram post
But his dramatic stint on Love Island could be his last, as Joey claims he won't appear on another reality TV show.
"I must say, genuinely, that Love Island was probably my last ever reality show," he told The Sun.
"To carry the show on and keep it going, I was needed in a lot of situations to help the storyline progress.
"I mean, I need a medic right now because my back is killing me because I carried that show so hard."
Related: Love Island star Joey Essex hits back at critics over Jessy romance
The former I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! contestant also discussed the controversy he caused on Love Island, saying that he is not a "bully".
"Am I a bully? No," he said. "Don’t get me wrong, whatever you say or do, it is what you’ve said and done. We’re surrounded by about 85 cameras with a storyline, with a show to make. That is the reality.
"We’re all there to find love, but there needs to be a journey, there needs to be drama — so, you know, I had to be that guy. I’ve got feelings, I’ve got heart, it hurt a lot.
"I’d switch it on. I’d do my scene. If I was involved in someone else’s stuff, it’s because I’ve been pulled in and dragged into that situation. I’ve done what I’ve done because I’m filming a television show."
Love Island airs on ITV2 and streams on ITVX.
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