Love Island star Konno reveals why he cut up Joey and Grace up

Love Island star Konnor Ewudzi has opened up about why he made a beeline for Grace Jackson despite the fact she was coupled up with Joey Essex.

The reality personality branded their relationship a ‘holiday romance’ and claimed that Joey, 34, and Grace, 25, would ‘never last’.

Speaking on FUBAR Radio on Wednesday evening, Konnor revealed his reason for splitting up Grace and Joey when he had to pick someone to couple up with.

Konnor, 28, arrived as a bombshell during the 11th series of the ITV2 show and was coupled with Grace before they decided they were better as friends.

Chatting to hosts Bobby Norris and Ellen Coughlan on the showbiz gossip programme Access All Areas, the reality star opened up about entering the villa and recoupling with Grace: ‘I went in there and I thought, listen, it’s only been two weeks.

‘No one was fully in a couple, you know, two weeks of knowing somebody. So, I thought I just wanted to go pick who I wanted to pick. That was basically my reason.’

He was then asked if Grace and Joey Essex would still be together if he hadn’t split the couple up: ‘Personally, no, I don’t think so. I don’t think so. I mean, how I saw it, like, I’ve said it before. 

‘They kind of had a bit of a holiday romance in the past. I thought it’s going to be the same again this time round and well I think I was right in the end. Yeah, well how I saw it was if it didn’t work last time is it going to work this time.’

Joey proved Konnor right when his head was turned by new arrival Jessy Potts, who picked him to take him on a date on her first night.

Following their first meeting, Joey admitted he felt a romantic connection with Jessy, who he is now exclusively dating after the show. 

Cornwall native Konnor revealed what TV show he would like to go on next: ‘So my mates were always taking the piss out of me because I was always in the kitchen…

‘But Joey[Essex] makes me laugh because I’m in there doing just pizzas in the evening, cutting them up and Joey’s gone, ‘Konnor, you’re such a good chef. You need to go a master chef.’ I was like, Joey, I’m cutting a frozen pizza up. It doesn’t take a lot of skill, no. But if I was asked to do it, I’ll do it. I love cooking’

It comes as Joey admitted he purposely played the ‘pantomime villain’ on Love Island because the other contestants were reluctant to provide the same brand of entertainment.

He became its first celebrity contestant after previously putting his name to an array of reality TV ventures, among them The Jump, Celebs Go Dating, Dancing On Ice and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

Discussing his time on the show during an appearance on Thursday’s edition of This Morning, Joey admitted he is ‘taking a huge break’ from the reality genre after he was criticised for his behaviour in the villa. 

But the TV personality, who was dumped along with partner Jessy Potts just hours before the final, defended his actions by claiming contestants were ‘encouraged’ to stir the pot. 

He said: ‘Everyone is encouraged to pot stir, the difference with me is that I don’t hesitate… I know what the producers want! 

‘Some didn’t want to go out there and upset people and I respect that, but the difference with me and 13 years experience, I know what to do and that’s what I did.’ 

Admitting he played the ‘pantomime villain’, Joey added: ‘I have no regrets, you know what it’s like, and I played the pantomime villain. I did what I had to do, I wanted to have fun and find love and I found Jessy.’

After being asked if they’ve said the ‘love’ word to each other yet. Jessy said, ‘We don’t want to rush things.’

On handling the pressure of fame, she added, ‘I think being with Joey makes it a lot easier. I’m really enjoying the whole process and we’re just taking our time and even though people are asking so many questions, we don’t feel the pressure to rush anything… we are just taking our time and enjoying each other’s company.’

Joey revealed Jessy has already visited his old stomping ground, telling the hosts: ‘I took her back to Essex yesterday, she was back at mine within 12 hours! She went home and by the next morning she was back at mine by 9:00am.’

When asked if he’s is scared of Jessy’s dad, he said: ‘Her dad’s a legend… he gives you the tightest handshake I’ve ever had!’

Joey then hinted that his reality TV career is finished following his appearance on Love Island series 11. 

He confessed: ‘I’m taking a huge break from reality TV, I have done every show possible.’ 

He added: ‘I wouldn’t want to do Strictly. It wasn’t hard to see the headlines, not everyone is going to love you all the time. I am strong-minded and very resilient.’

Speaking of how life has changed for Jessy, she admitted: ‘My life has completely changed, I’ve gone from a normal nine to five account management position to being on the (This Morning) sofa with you guys! So it’s completely different, but I’m loving every second.’

Explaining his reasons for applying to be on the show, Joey said, ‘I just loved the show and when the opportunity was given, I said one hundred percent, I was well up for it. 

‘Me going into the villa, that was my main aim (to find love) and also have fun. And that’s exactly what I did – love is in the air! We are exclusive.’

The reality TV star previously faced accusations of bullying during his time on the show. 

However, he argued that the producers were reliant on him to create drama because of his experience in the TV industry.