Joey Essex DID receive special treatment during his controversial stint on Love Island as he was “promised the final” and was “furious” when he was booted from the villa.

They brought him in to stir things up a bit and bring some much needed drama to the village.

But despite Joey Essex insisting he didn’t receive any special treatment during his time on Love Island because he was already a celebrity, it can now be revealed that he did.

MailOnline understands that Joey, who was introduced as a “bombshell” in the first week of the show, was “promised the final” before he entered the show and was furious when he was axed from the Sunday night show with partner Jessy Potts after former Islanders voted them the least compatible couple.

And sources close to the show say the former TOWIE star was given “two or three hours” of time a day outside the villa, which he spent with producers and away from the cameras.

Insiders also say the production team gave Joey flowers to deliver to eventual winner Mimii Ngulube after he was criticised for his behaviour towards her and fellow contestant Josh Oyinsan.

In last week’s episode, Joey was seen giving Mimii a bouquet of flowers to apologize to her after previously arguing with her during a challenge.

Entering the villa, ITV producers said: ‘Joey is being treated like any other Love Island contestant, he is playing by the same rules and will not receive any preferential treatment.

“He has not been paid a cent for appearing on the show or any money at all. Not a cent.”

Just this week it was reported that Joey, who is already worth £8million, is set to earn a whopping £250,000 from a clubbing tour following his exit from Love Island.

This came after it was revealed that she was not paid more to be on the show than the other contestants, which works out to around £375 a week.

During Monday night’s finale, fans claimed he appeared “furious” and “bitter.”

Viewers admitted they couldn’t help but notice his unimpressed facial expressions when the cameras lingered on him during the show.

There was speculation he was unhappy he didn’t make it to the final with Jessy, 25, after leaving the villa just a day earlier.

While on the show, Joey was called “arrogant,” “troublesome,” and “embarrassing.”

One episode even received 120 complaints from Ofcom due to his behaviour towards former contestant Samantha Kenny.

As he was the first celebrity to appear on the show, bosses took “every precaution” to keep Mr Essex’s entry into the villa a secret.

While the rest of the singles flew to Mallorca, the reality star was forced to travel by ferry to keep her appearance a secret.

This was the first time Love Island bosses had landed a celebrity in their original line-up, with Mr Essex known to viewers as one of the original stars of TOWIE, followed by stints on Dancing On Ice, Celebs Go Dating and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

ITV has been contacted for comment.

Mimii Ngulube and Josh Oyinsan won season 11 of Love Island.

Presenter Maya Jama announced that the couple had received the highest percentage of public votes and will take home the £50,000 cash prize.

Mimii, 24, and Josh, 29, have made Love Island history as the first black couple to win the show since the rebooted series began in 2015.

The pair made it to the final with Nicole Samuel and Ciaran Davies, Matilda Draper and Sean Stone and Jessica Spencer and Ayo Odukoya.

Jessica and Ayo finished in fourth place, while Matilda and Sean took third position in the reality show competition.

Nicole and Ciaran were the runners-up in the final, as viewers ultimately voted to crown Mimii and Josh as their winners.