'We weren't in it to win it'

Love Island stars Joey Essex and Jessy Potts exclusively tell OK! about their plans for the future and lift the lid on life in the villa

- SARAH MORTON

Jessy Potts smiles flirtatiously at Joey Essex. “You can’t wait to say it…” she teases. It’s only hours after the pair touched down in the UK following their stint on Love Island, and we’ve just asked them if they’ve said “I love you” yet.

“Nah,” Joey laughs. “You can’t wait to say it.” Suffice to say the magic words have not been uttered, but, after spending time with the former TOWIE star and his now ‘exclusive’ girlfriend, we doubt it’ll be long before they are.

We join them at Joey’s stunning five-bedroom, three-bathroom house in Essex, which is clearly his pride and joy. Along with a swimming pool, games room and a “posh” room (his words), featuring a fake leopard, the place comes complete with a basketball pitch and bar. So far, so bachelor pad. But is there room for Jessy?

The pair are clearly very well suited, insisting, “We wind each other up and make each other laugh,” but it remains to be seen if that will translate to long-term love.

Indeed, since finishing fifth on the ITV show, Joey has already come under fire from viewers for “faking” his feelings for Jessy and getting preferential treatment in the villa. He admitted last week that, “I was put in a situation where I had to do what I had to do. I’m there for a reason. I was in Love Island to entertain.”

But seeing him and Jessy together on our exclusive shoot, it’s hard not to root for them. And despite Jessy’s insistence that they are “taking it slowly”, they’ve already discussed holidays, a possible reality show together and… kids.

Here, Joey, 34 and Jessy, 25, reveal why they’re ignoring the trolls, their plans to tick things off their bucket list and the one show Joey won’t do…

Hi, guys! So, Joey, when will you be inviting Jessy to move into this gorgeous house?