He's a self-proclaimed King of Essex and a reality TV veteran, but Joey Essex could soon be targeting some awards silverware.

His current appearance on Love Island means he has nearly completed reality TV, so it's not a huge surprise to hear Joey is looking to spread his wings in the entertainment industry.

Before he entered the famous villa, the 33-year-old star is said to have set up two production companies, Top TT Ltd and Fusey Productions, and he is described as an actor in the documents.

A source recently told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: "Joey’s in the villa for both love and loot. He wants to find The One but is also a shrewd businessman and sees the money-making potential."

"He’s tried many things but has yet to make the move into movies and he sees this as his chance."

But where will Joey's first acting role be?

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Gangster Life For Joey?

With Joey looking to make it big in movies, one of the more likely first destinations on his acting career journey could be a British gangster film.  

There have been some classics over the years, including Guy Ritchie's Snatch and Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, as well as Sir Michael Caine's Get Carter, and Ray Winstone hit Sexy Beast.

While it is a big ask for Joey to appear in such a success so early on in his acting career, he is just 8/11 to start off in a gangster movie.

It wouldn't be a surprise if he followed in the footsteps of fellow Love Island star Jack Fincham, who starred alongside Rise of the Footsoldier's Terry Stone in 2022 film The Last Heist.

Frankie Sims, Chloe Sims, Georgia Shults, Charlie Sims, and Demi Sims at 'The Lost City' premiere. Joey's next move in the entertainment world could follow their success. (Image: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Joey will no doubt have his sights set on Hollywood, and he wouldn't be the first TOWIE star to rock up there.

His cousins and fellow former TOWIE stars, Chloe and Demi Sims, have become a huge success in Los Angeles with their reality TV show House of Sims, after leaving Essex for the City of Angels.

However, it could be a lot tougher for Joey to forge an acting career stateside, and he is 10/1 to land a Hollywood movie role in his acting big break.

Joey's Soap Role

While Joey may shoot for the stars and a stint on the big screen, it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he had to start out his acting career on the small screen.

He is just Evens to land a role in a British soap next, and it would be a sensible acting ground to learn the business.

Many huge stars have started out in soaps. The Sandman actress Jenna Coleman began her acting journey in Emmerdale, X-Men star Ben Hardy portrayed Peter Beale in EastEnders, and Game of Thrones actress Nathalie Emmanuel was best known for her work in Hollyoaks before she wandered into Westeros.

However, soapy beginnings don't always get off to the best start.

Joey's fellow Love Island star Curtis Pritchard and his Strictly Come Dancing brother AJ Pritchard tried to cut their acting teeth in Hollyoaks, appearing on screen as brothers Marco and Jacob in 2021, but some of their scenes were widely-panned.

One project that could be ideal for Joey is play 2:22 A Ghost Story.

Since the London theatre production began in 2021, it has featured several stars not necessarily renowned for their acting talents, including podcaster Giovanna Fletcher, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore, and Girls Aloud singer Cheryl, so it could be a perfect place for Joey to hone his skills.

He is 2/1 to land a role in the play, and just 3/1 to rock up in the BBC medical drama Casualty.

Joey In Paradise?

While Joey is currently sunning himself in paradise over in Mallorca during his stint on Love Island, he could be set for similar climes if he landed a role in Death in Paradise.

The BBC murder-mystery show is known for featuring a regular roster of cameos, and the TOWIE legend is 4/1 to galivant over to Guadeloupe to shoot some scenes.

If he fancies a job further afield, then Joey could head Down Under to get his acting career off the ground.

Joey's no stranger to Australia after appearing in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! over there in 2002, but if he is looking for an acting role in Oz, then perhaps soap operas Neighbours (8/1) or Home and Away (8/1) would be ideal.

Joey will still be able to top up his Love Island tan in the Aussie sun, but he'll also be able to crack on with his new career.

Should the star land a role in Neighbors, he wouldn't be the first British actor to do so.

Former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas previously appeared in the Australian soap as Rafael Humphreys, and Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden played Harriet Wallace - the on-screen aunt of Jason Donovan's daughter Harlow Robinson's character - in 2022.

Wherever Joey kick-starts his acting career, he's likely to have a great time, but it may not be an award-winning one.
He is 1/2 to fail to land a TV or film BAFTA throughout his career, but just 2/1 to complete a meteoric rise from TOWIE star to BAFTA winner. Dream big, Joey.