Mark Labbett took a savage swipe at Joey Essex on Tuesday as he brutally reposted a tweet which mocked the former TOWIE star's age.
Joey, 33, who is the oldest contestant in the lineup, was recently deemed 'too old' to take part in the reality series, as sources close to him claimed he doesn't 'need' the exposure.
However, it appears Mark, aka 'The Beast', 58, is not too keen on the controversial signing either as he took to X to repost a brutal tweet from Out of Context Football Manager.
The tweet slammed Joey by saying: 'Joey Essex is 33, he should not be on Love Island.'
They added: 'At that age I wouldn’t even sign him on Football Manager.'
Mark Labbett took a savage swipe at Joey Essex on Tuesday as he brutally reposted a tweet which mocked the former TOWIE star's age (Mark pictured in September 2023)
Joey, 33, who is the oldest contestant in the lineup, was recently deemed 'too old' to take part in the reality series but sources close to the TV personality revealed he doesn't 'need' the exposure
However, one fan of the TV star slammed back with: 'What you even doing watching it, that's as tragic as this post. (sic)'
It comes after Sam Taylor was sent packing from the Love Island villa after just 24 hours following Joey's bombshell arrival.
Joey uprooted Sam from his place in the competition as he stole the hairdresser's love interest, Samantha Kenny.
Sam was left single by the shock move and promptly told he must pack his bags and leave.
Joey had spent the day flirting up a storm with several of the girls, before announcing his final decision at the firepit.
He said: 'I have decided to couple up with this girl because the last 24 hours in this villa has been the most flirtatious.
'It's been tough because I've got to know you girls on a nice level and I've got to know you guys but this is Love Island.
'I have had to go with my heart and it's the right decision. The girl I would like to steal is Samantha.'
However, it appears Mark, aka 'The Beast', 58, is not too keen on the controversial signing either as he took to X to repost a brutal tweet from Out of Context Football Manager
However, tensions are set to rise even more as Joey moves on with Harriett Blackmore in the Hideaway.
In scenes set to air on Wednesday's show, Joey gets hands-on with Harriett, much to the dismay of Samantha.
Viewers took to X to say Sam 'didn't deserve' to be evicted and had already made his place as a firm fan favourite.
They wrote: 'No Sam didn’t deserve this' and 'Sam leaving is criminal'.
'Love Island producers better find a way to bring back Sam cause everyone is MAD that he is gone. He was one of the finest person in that villa too'
'What do you mean Sam is gone? I need him back'.
Speaking of his exit, Sam said: 'I’m disappointed to be leaving so soon as I wanted to work my magic and get to know everyone a bit better.
'When Joey walked in I had a feeling I might be in trouble. Samantha is a stunning girl and I knew that they would get on.
'We were all buzzing to meet him, he’s such a big character, it was great getting to know him. Ultimately, he had to do what he had to do which didn’t work in my favour but no hard feelings.'
Joey made a shock arrival at the end of Monday night's launch and Tuesday's episode kicked off with Maya Jama delivering bombshell news.
The host, 29, told islanders Joey has to steal one girl from one of the pairings, meaning the now single male will be sent home.
As the ladies gushed over their celebrity resident, fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to joke the 'lads are bricking it'.
They wrote: 'This is going to cause carnage' and 'The lads are BRICKING it #loveIsland I live for these moments'.
It comes after Sam Taylor was sent packing from the Love Island villa after just 24 hours following Joey's bombshell arrival
Former The Only Way Is Essex star Joey uprooted Sam from his place in the competition as he stole the hairdresser's love interest, Samantha Kenny
Joey said: 'I have had to go with my heart and it's the right decision. The girl I would like to steal is Samantha'
'The boys are stressed' and 'Joey better not send Munveer or Ayo home, I like their personalities in the villa!'
'I was literally just saying how it’s only a matter of time till they bring back the early dumping at the first recoupling. It’s been years!!!!'.
Others questioned Joey's motive after he said he had gone to the villa to 'find love'.
One wrote: 'Joey Essex is not a serious somebody, he's here for the money', while another said: 'still feel like putting a celebrity in there with all newbies is weird. It’s such a massive advantage to already have such a huge following. Joey would’ve been a better fit in the All Stars show.'
The news comes after it emerged Joey is 'looking for a wife in the villa' after signing up to the show for the 'right reasons.'
The star already has fame and 1.8million Instagram followers, with sources close to the TV personality saying he doesn't 'need' the exposure.
Joey made Love Island history on Monday night when he became the first celebrity to join the cast of singletons, who are otherwise unknown.
His arrival led to the show being streamed 2.1 million times, an uplift of 24 percent on the same episode last year and gave ITVX its best day for six weeks.
According to insiders, Joey, who's also starred on I'm A Celeb, Dancing On Ice, Ex on the Beach, and Celebs Go Dating, wants to 'settle down' and find someone he can start a family with.
Speaking of his exit, Sam said: 'I’m disappointed to be leaving so soon as I wanted to work my magic and get to know everyone a bit better'
However tensions are set to rise even more as Joey moves on with Harriett Blackmore in the Hideaway In scenes set to air on Wednesday's show
Viewers took to X to say Sam 'didn't deserve' to be evicted and had already made his place as a firm fan favourite
And ITV bosses are hoping the format twist will boost ratings and fans of Joey will engage with his love story.
A TV source told MailOnline: 'Joey has signed up to Love Island for all the right reasons.
'He's 33 years old and really wants to find someone he can settle down with, he wants a wife and to have children one day.
'Not many people know the real Joey, over the years he's hidden behind his reality TV persona but being on Love Island will give him the opportunity to show his true self.
'He doesn't need fame, followers, or the prize money... He's excited to meet someone and can't wait to start dating.'
