Joey Essex’s ex Jess Wright speaks out about Love Island star ‘looking for love’ in the villa

JOEY Essex's ex Jess Wright has spoken out for the first time about their surprise romance after being revealed as a Love Island bombshell.

The 33-year-old said he's "looking for love" in the villa and chose to be "respectfully ruthless" by sending a boy home after stealing his girl.

Die-hard Towie fans will remember back in 2011 when Joey and Jess shared a saucy snog in Mark Wright's final series.

The pair's fling was short-lived and they both went their separate ways.

Now, speaking to MailOnline, Jess has reacted to seeing Joey on telly as the show's first-ever celebrity signing.

Jess said: "I haven't watched it, but I've obviously seen it all over [social media]. I think it's great. I think Joey's just so much fun. He might be, you know, 33 but he still is young at heart and he's obviously single.

"Obviously, I knew Joey on Towie and we were all kids and young and everything else and times moved on."

The pair haven't seen each other in "years", admits Jess - but proving there's no bad blood she added: "I think I've been off Towie now for about I wanna say eight years, which is nearly a decade. So yeah, it's crazy, but no, we all had fun on there.

"I really wish him Joey well. He's just a nice guy."

Joey is currently coupled up with Samantha Kenny, but was whisked into the Hideaway by bombshell Uma Jammeh.

Samantha was left in tears by the shrewd move - and lack of reassurance from Joey.

However her family are still rooting for the couple - who are seven years apart in age.