Love Island viewers think Joey Essex missed a trick with his talent show rap

The Only Way Is Essex star made fellow islanders cringe, as viewers asked why he didn't just perform his single Reem.

Albertina Lloyd
·Contributor
·4-min read
Joey Essex performed a rap on the Love Island talent show. (ITV)
Joey Essex performed a rap on the Love Island talent show. (ITV)

Love Island viewers thought Joey Essex missed a trick in the talent show – after he failed to perform his single Reem.

The Islanders all rejoiced when Reuben got a text announcing the Love Island talent show would be taking place in the latest episode of the ITV2 reality show. Former TOWIE star Essex, 33, decided to perform a rap inspired by his fellow Love Island contestants. They were all left cringing and when Essex tried to get them to join in he was met with tumbleweed silence.

But viewers questioned why he did not perform Reem, the single he recorded and released with The Only Way Is Essex cast in 2011.

Joey Essex wrote a wrap about his fellow Islanders.
Joey Essex wrote a wrap about his fellow Islanders. (ITV)

Essex donned a backwards cap and wrap around sunglasses to perform a rap he had written on his phone. The rap included mentions of all his fellow Islanders and the klaxon to indicate his time on the stage was up went off twice, but he kept going.

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Rapping to girlfriend Jessy he said: "Jessy when you picked me for that date it was fate. With my crown on my head. But I lost the cape, Yeah. Going back in the garden was very bake but I risked it all for you girl, after the game of heart rate check it.

"I'll tell you the truth on how I really feel I'm on top of the world and our connection is real. You're a little sort, and you stood on some toes, as it goes. You're the one for me. You're my cup of tea And it bringing out the best in me. I'm lucky to have you by my side. Or let it slide. It's me and you now, baby, you're my rid or die, Let's go!"

As the klaxon sounded a third time, the other contestants applauded but Essex told them, "Wait, wait, wait. When I say secret - you say mission. Secret..." There was an awkward silence. Essex asked: "Anyone?" He then added: "Well that didn't go that well did it?"

Viewers thought he should have performed dance track Reem instead, his 2011 single named after his catchphrase from scripted reality show TOWIE.

One wrote on social media platform X: "Reem would have been better atp #loveisland." Another said: "Joey missed the opportunity to sing reem #loveisland."

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And another viewer commented: "Joey was better off performing Reem cos this rap #LoveIsland."

Reuben gave viewers the
Reuben gave viewers the "ick" with his singing. (ITV)

Viewers were convinced Reuben had given Grace "the ick" with his cheesy singing. The 23-year-old account assistant and semi-professional footballer donned a rain coat and swung an umbrella around as he performed a hammed up rendition of Singing In The Rain. Grace appeared to be cringing as she sniggered at Reuben's performance, laughing so much she knocked over a glass. He then called Grace to the stage as his "lovely lamppost of a lady."

Love Island fans thought Reuben had turned her off.

One wrote on social media platform X: "Reuben has just given Grace the ick #LoveIsland" Another said: "Grace is ick-ing in the rain #loveisland." One viewer posted: "If I was grace, I’d get the ick #loveIsland." Another commented: "I would have to dump my partner after that talent show cause the ick Im getting is insane #loveisland." And another shared: "Is the secondary ick a thing? Because if so I have it for Reuben #LoveIsland."

Grace insisted she loved Reuben's singing. (ITV)
Grace insisted she loved Reuben's singing. (ITV)

But Grace said afterwards: "He killed it, I'm so happy for him, and he got me involved which I love, so round of applause for Reuben!"

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Love Island airs on ITV2 at 9pm on weekdays.

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