Some fans have claimed that Samantha is using Joey for the fame
LOVE Island’s Samantha Kenny has been compared to Baby Reindeer’s stalker Martha after her ‘over the top reaction’ to Joey Essex snogging a rival during last night’s balloon game.
The 27-year-old has frequently pointed out Joey’s pre-show fame, leading viewers to think she’s “too starstruck” by him.
Prior to Love Island, Joey had featured on multiple reality shows including Towie, Strictly Come Dancing and I’m A Celeb.
Samantha’s instant infatuation with Joey was viewed as almost as obsessive as Martha’s fixation to Richard Gadd in Baby Reindeer.
The popular Netflix show, reportedly based on a true story, follows Richard as he is stalked and intensely pursued by Martha.
A Reddit user shared the cover of Baby Reindeer on a forum, depicting Martha sitting at a table with Richard trapped in a glass cup.
The image was edited replacing Martha’s face with Samantha’s and Richard’s face with Joey’s.
Fans flocked to the comments with one user writing: “Samantha needs to put a lid on the Towie and Joey Essex thing it’s so hard to watch.
“She’s a super fan and extremely territorial to the point where she takes the fun out of everything. Her reaction to the balloon game was over the top.
“Everyone was screaming and laughing before he went up and then there was an awkward silence when she was being weird.”
Another user added: “He literally tried to tell her that she’s too fanned out and it makes him uncomfortable but she just laughed it off??? Lmfaaoooo Joey is in a hostage situation at this point.”
“When she said, we’re the mum and dad of the villa one week in… oh boy. Good luck to you Joey,” penned a third.
Referencing a euphemism in the Netflix hit where Martha mentioned that Richard wanted to “hang her curtains,” a sexual innuendo, one user commented, “And he won’t hang her curtains either.”
Joey began to question Samantha’s true feelings for him during last night’s episode.
The Liverpudlian said : “I’m not being funny or nothing but you are Joey Essex so I know what girls are like, do you know what I mean.
“They’re going to go ‘oh Joey Essex is in there so they’re going to be like, right, let’s get on Joey Essex’.
Unsure what to make of Samantha’s observation, Joey looked bemused as Samantha quipped back: “They are Joe, I’m not stupid.”
Joey told Samantha: “If someone is with me for that reason, because I’m Joey Essex, that’s not for me, I promise you, that is not for me.”
Samantha asked: “Well what do you think about me, do you think I’m like that?”
A couple episodes ago Samantha revealed she’s a massive Towie fan and quoted famous catchphrases at him such as Gemma Collins’ “You ain’t getting this candy”.
Despite Joey being a show legend, it didn’t appear to fill him with joy.
He made a point of telling the group it was 11 years ago and joked that Samantha had been researching him before entering the villa.
She hit back by saying: “I’m just a big Towie fan, leave me alone.”
Now fans think it’ll be the undoing of their fledgling relationship and suggested she may be using him for fame.
“Joey’s getting the ick from Samantha,” said one. “He’s clocking he’s coupled with a super fan.”