Joey Essex‘s romance with Grace Jackson hit the rocks on Thursday as he shared a cheeky smooch with new contestant Jessy Potts.

During Thursday’s instalment of the ITV2 reality TV show, the Love Island stars were faced with a shock twist after new contestants Jessy, 25, and Trey Norman, 24, were given the chance to steal an islander of their choice, and Jessy chose Joey.

After the recoupling, things quickly turned sour between Grace and Joey, however, Joey seemed unfazed by the argument as he headed off to the terrace with his new love interest and the pair shared a smooch.

While Joey and Jessy sat on the terrace, Joey confessed he was glad that she picked him after he admitted he ‘didn’t expect’ her to in the recoupling.

The pair then tried to hide from the others as they cheekily shared a kiss.

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Joey Essex ‘s romance with Grace Jackson hit the rocks on Thursday as he shared a cheeky smooch with new contestant Jessy Potts

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During Thursday’s instalment, the Love Island stars were faced with a shock twist after new contestants Jessy, 25, and Trey Norman, 24, were given the chance to steal an islander

Meanwhile, Grace and the other girls gathered around the firepit to discuss Joey’s actions.

Viewers took to X, formerly Twitter, in their droves, accusing Joey of gaslighting Grace, while others said he was bringing the drama for producers.

They wrote: ‘He’s earned his pay cheque’ and ‘Joey Essex self-sabotaging in spectacular fashion this evening’.

‘Joey Essex has fumbled an all-timer 11/10 for the sake of his and more importantly our entertainment.’

‘joey essex you are making adam collard look like a saint’.

‘Joey Essex is the gift that keeps on giving’.

The shocking kiss followed a night of dramatic action after Harriett Blackmore was left in tears when Ciaran Davies insulted her during a game of Never Have I Ever.

Ciaran accused Harriett of badmouthing him behind his back and being disingenuous during her time in the villa.

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Grace has refused to be in a love triangle with Joey and new bombshell Jessy

Viewers took to X, formerly Twitter, in their droves, accusing Joey of gaslighting Grace, while others said he was bringing the drama for producers

But when Harriett called the 21-year-old ‘immature’, Ciaran slammed the dancer for being the last to be chosen on three occasions, a reference to her multiple love triangles.

And Ciaran stood by his words during Thursday’s episode, as he said, ‘I said what I meant, I’m not apologising for it.’

Harriett vowed to end her friendship with Ciaran altogether, insisting, ‘I’m not talking to him ever again.’

Elsewhere, Joey’s flirtation with Jessy continued, as the two confessed to wanting to explore their attraction further.

Joey told Jessy, ‘I can’t deny it. I’m going with my heart, it’s true feelings. I just feel like I’m in my rights to be in here and explore. I ain’t in a relationship.’

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After the recoupling, things quickly turned sour between Grace and Joey, however, Joey seemed unfazed by the argument as he headed off to the terrace with his new love interest

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While Joey and Jessy sat on the terrace, Joey confessed he was glad that she picked him after he admitted he ‘didn’t expect’ her to in the recoupling

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The pair then tried to hide from the others as they cheekily shared a kiss

He added: ‘I’ve not really had this with anyone. This flowing conversation. I feel like I’ve enjoyed this conversation too much.’

Making his feelings clear, the former TOWIE star continued, ‘With me and Grace, we’re close.’

‘We actually get on, there’s real feelings there, all that. But it would be silly to just close things off. I want to get to know you more. That date last night was literally the best date. Would you like to go on another date?’

Jessy agreed she would like to date Joey again before the pair said their closeness is going to get them in trouble.

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Meanwhile, Grace and the other girls gathered around the firepit to discuss Joey’s actions