The Only Way Is Essex

**The Only Way Is Essex**(abbreviated **TOWIE**) is a BAFTA award-winning British television soap opera based on Brentwood, England. It shows "real people in modified situations, saying unscripted lines but in a structured way." The show is filmed just a few days in advance. It is narrated by Denise van Outen, who is from Basildon, Essex. The show has been described as Britain's answer to The Hills and Jersey Shore.

Each series lasts six weeks, airing on Wednesdays and Sundays at 10pm on ITV2 from 2010 to 2014, although it was announced in February 2014 that the show would be moved to ITV2's sister channel ITVBe when the channel launches. The first series concluded of 10 episodes and ran for 30 minutes, with a Christmas special following later in the year. Due to popularity, the show was extended to 45-minute episodes and renewed for a year's airing. On May 22, 2011, the series won the Audience Award at the 2011 BAFTA Awards. The 12th series was the last to air on ITV2 before the show moved to ITV's new channel, ITVBe in October 2014.

On March 13, 2016, ITVBe aired a one-off documentary hosted by former cast member Mark Wright discussing the history of the show. Celebrities as well as cast members past and present united to talk about the popularity of the show, the fame the cast members have achieved from appearing in the series as well as the influence it has had on the economy.

On February 28, 2017, with the announcement of the cast for the show's twentieth series it was confirmed that instead of the usual three series per year ITVBe would only be airing two series, but with more episodes.

### **Series 1 (2010)**

The first series of the show began airing on October 10, 2010 and concluded on November 10, 2010, consisting of 10 episodes. Due to the success of the series, a Christmas special aired the same year on December 24, 2010. This series was heavily centered on the love triangle of Mark Wright, Lauren Goodger and Lucy Mecklenburgh. This was the only series to feature cast members Candy Jacobs and Michael Woods. Mark also appeared alongside fellow cast members Amy Childs, James Argent, Nanny Pat and Sam Faiers on Alan Carr: Chatty Man on February 21, 2011 to discuss the first series and also confirmed a second series.

### **Series 2 (2011)**

The second series began airing on March 20, 2011 and concluded on May 4, 2011. Due to the popularity of the first series, the second series consisted of 14 episodes. Before the series aired, the cast filmed a four-minute music video that was screened on ITV2; dance duo LMFAO remixed their hit single "I'm in Miami Bitch" and replaced it with "I'm in Essex Girl". This series saw the departure of Amy Childs off screen and introduced new characters Joey Essex, Gemma Collins, Chloe Sims, Debbie Douglass, Carol Wright and Mick Norcross.

### **Series 3 (2011)**

The third series began airing on September 14, 2011 and concluded on November 9, 2011, consisting of 14 episodes. As well as being the first series to feature new cast members Mario Falcone, Dino and Georgio Georgiades, Billi Mucklow and Cara Kilbey, this series saw the departure of original cast members Mark Wright, Harry Derbidge, Kirk Norcross and Maria Fowler. A second Christmas special aired on December 20. The cast of the third series (excluding Wright and Norcross) covered the Wham! single "Last Christmas"; the official video premiered on ITV2 in November and the single peaked at number 32 on the UK Singles Chart.

### **Series 4 (2012)**

The fourth series began airing on January 29, 2012 and concluded on February 29, 2012, consisting of 10 episodes. On January 25, the show was nominated for "Most Popular Reality Programme" at the National Television Awards. The series was the last to feature Dino and Georgio but included the arrival of new cast members Ricky Rayment, Bobby Norris, James "Diags" Bennewith, Georgia Dorsett, Tom Kilbey, Little Chris Drake and Charlie King. Mick Norcross returned to the series for the first time without his son Kirk. This was also the first series where the opening scenes changed to include silhouettes of the current characters, with the theme tune playing on the background.

### **Series 5 (2012)**

The fifth series began airing on April 15, 2012 and yet again ran for 10 episodes concluding on May 27, 2012. The series included just one new cast member as Danni Park-Dempsey made her first appearance. It was also the last to include Georgina Dorsett who left after just two series. Shortly after the series, an hour-long special entitled The Only Way Is Marbs, set in the holiday destination of Marbella, aired on June 13, 2012. Tinchy Stryder made a guest appearance in the episode.

### **Series 6 (2012)**

The sixth series started airing from July 22, 2012 and concluded on August 22, 2012. Lauren Goodger confirmed that this series would be her last and she departed at the end of the series. Former cast member Mark Wright, who last appeared in Series 3, made a cameo in the eighth episode, but did not have a speaking part.

### **Series 7 (2012)**

The seventh series started airing from September 30, 2012 with all of the cast from the previous series returning apart from Lauren Goodger, and original cast member Kirk Norcross returning to the series after departing in Series 3. This made him the first cast member to return to the show. The series was renewed for two further series in August 2012, set to air sometime in 2013. On November 13, 2012 it was confirmed that three festive specials would air in December including a live episode, a first for the show. The live episode was met with numerous negative reviews, with Digital Spy commenting that it just didn't work and was complete car crash TV with it not making much sense. On December 14, 2012, it was confirmed that former cast member Mark Wright would return for a cameo appearance in the 2012 Christmas special. Original cast member Lydia Bright, Tom Kilbey and Cara Kilbey all left after this series, and it was the first to include Danny Walia and Jasmin Walia, who had previously made a cameo in the first Christmas special of the show.

### **Series 8 (2013)**

The eighth series started airing from February 24, 2013 and saw the introduction of several new cast members including James Locke, Dan Osborne, Jack Bennewith and Abi Clarke. Twin sisters Amy and Sally Broadbent were also confirmed to have joined the cast however after two episodes, Lucy Mecklenburgh announced on Twitter that they had been used by the show to create storylines and had been dropped from the cast. The series saw the departure of numerous long serving cast members such as Kirk Norcross, Debbie Douglass and Mick Norcross, Billi Mucklow and Danni Park-Dempsey who all announced their departures midway through the series.

### **Series 9 (2013)**

The ninth series began airing from June 2, 2013 with two The Only Way Is Marbs specials and concluded after 12 episodes on July 10, 2013. On May 14, 2013 it was revealed that Gary Lineker's brother, Wayne Lineker, had joined the cast. However he only appeared in two episodes. The series was the first to include new cast members Ferne McCann and Charlie Sims, and was the last to include Charlie King. It also featured the one off return of Lydia Bright, who had previously featured in the show from Series 1 through to 7.

### **Series 10 (2013)**

The tenth series began with two-hour long The Only Way Is Vegas specials on October 6 and 9, 2013, as confirmed by ITV Press Centre on September 25, 2013. The regular tenth series followed running from October 13 to November 13, 2013. Ahead of the series finale it was confirmed that Joey Essex would make his final appearance. As well as being the last series to include Joey, Abi and Little Chris also made their final appearances during this series. Elliott Wright, Lewis Bloor and Danni Armstrong all made their first appearances in this series. A third Christmas special aired on December 11, 2013 and was Lucy Mecklenburgh's final episode.

### **Series 11 (2014)**

The eleventh series started airing from February 23, 2014 consisting of 12 episodes, ending on April 2, 2014. This series was the first to include Fran Parman, Grace Andrews and Georgia Kousoulou but was the last to feature original cast member Sam Faiers as she departed to focus on her health. Mark Wright also made another cameo appearance during this series, and it also included the return of Lydia Bright who made a full-time return to the series during the series finale.

### **Series 12 (2014)**

The twelfth series began on June 22, 2014 with two The Only Way Is Marbs specials followed by 10 regular episodes, concluding on July 30, 2014. Original cast member Harry Derbidge made a full-time return to this series, however he was axed at the end of the series and did not return for the thirteenth. It was also the final series to feature Grace Andrews but first to incude Vas J. Morgan. Mario Falcone was also absent during this series following a suspension.

### **Series 13 (2014)**

The thirteenth series, the first to air on new channel ITVBe, began on October 8, 2014 with two The Only Way Is Ibiza specials, followed by 10 regular episodes, concluding on November 16, 2014, with the 2014 Christmas special following a month later on December 10, 2014. The new channel also launched on October 8, 2014. Because of this, the first episode of The Only Way Is Ibiza featured a live after party straight after the episode hosted by Mark Wright and narrator of the show Denise van Outen. Mario Falcone returned to the series following his suspension. This was the final series to feature long running cast member Tom Pearce, and the only series to include George Harrison. Tommy Mallet also made his first appearance during this series.

### **Series 14 (2015)**

The fourteenth series began on February 22, 2015 and consisted of thirteen episodes ending on April 5, 2015. Original cast member Arg returned to the show after his suspension during the thirteenth series. After the launch of the new series, Mark Wright returned to host another live after party. The series includes the final appearances of Charlie Sims and Dan Osborne, but the first for Dan Edgar, Chloe Lewis and Jake Hall.

### **Series 15 (2015)**

The fifteenth series launched on June 14, 2015 with two Marbella specials. It is the third series to feature on ITV's new channel ITVBe. As well as confirming the new launch date, it was confirmed that ITV had renewed the show for a further six series, taking it to Series 21. Ahead of the series it was announced that cast member Ricky Rayment had taken a short break from the show but would be back, however he did not return. It was also confirmed that Mario Falcone had been suspended from the show for the second time, this time after promoting slimming pills on social media. He returned to the show during the fourth episode.

### **Series 16 (2015)**

The sixteenth series began on October 4, 2015. This is the first series to be included under the new contract which was confirmed on June 3, 2015, renewing the show for a further six series. Ahead of the series, it was announced that cast member Gemma Collins had quit the show. She had appeared on the show since the second series. For the Essexmas special, Gemma Collins, Mario Falcone and Lauren Goodger each made a brief return to the show. This was the last series to feature Nanny Pat who died on December 16, 2015, and Lauren Pope who made her exit during the series.

### **Series 17 (2016)**

The seventeenth series began on February 28, 2016. Ahead of the series, it was announced that Jess Wright, who had appeared on the show since the first series had quit. It was also confirmed that Ferne McCann would be taking a break from the series. It will be the first series to include new cast members Chloe Meadows, Courtney Green, and Chris and Jon Clark. Jon previously appeared on ITV2's Love Island. This series will also feature the show's 200th episode. Despite previously announcing that she'd quit the show, Gemma Collins appeared in this series. On March 9, 2016, it was announced that former Ex on the Beach star and Celebrity Big Brother housemate Megan McKenna has joined the cast and would be making her debut during the 200th episode. However, Megan previously made a brief appearance on the first Essexmas special in 2010 where she originally auditioned for Jess Wright's new girl group. On March 13, 2016, ahead of the show's milestone 200th episode, a special episode titled "The Power of TOWIE" aired hosted by Mark Wright, where cast past and present united to discuss the show's history.

### **Series 18 (2016)**

The eighteenth series began on July 17, 2016 with a The Only Way Is Mallorca special. Ahead of the series it was announced that cast member Jake Hall had quit the show having appeared since the fourteenth series. Despite quitting the show at the end of the sixteenth series, Jess Wright made a one-off appearance to support Bobby over the loss of his dog. It was also the first series not to include long-running cast member Lewis Bloor, who quit during the previous series. New cast member Amber Dowding joined the show for this series. Love Island winners Nathan Massey and Cara De La Hoyde also made guest appearances during the ninth episode of the series. This was the final series to include Billie Faiers after it was announced she had quit the show, as well as Mike Hassini, who did not return for the nineteenth series.

### **Series 19 (2016)**

The nineteenth series began on October 9, 2016 with a The Only Way Is Marbs special. Ahead of the series it was confirmed that former cast member Lauren Goodger would be making her return to the series having previously appeared during the first to the sixth series, and then again during the 2015 Essexmas special. This is the first series not to include Billie Faiers, after it was announced she had quit the show. It includes the first appearances of new cast members Ben Shenel and Ercan Ramadan. Mario Falcone and Frankie Essex also made a surprise one-off return to the series during the final episode of the series to celebrate Chloe Sims' 35th birthday. Love Island winners Nathan Massey and Cara De La Hoyde both made another guest appearance during the eighth episode. Original cast member James Argent was also absent for most of this series due to him taking a break from the show. A further two Essexmas specials aired in December 2016, where Danni announced her departure from the series.

### **Series 20 (2017)**

The twentieth series will launch on March 5, 2017 with the cast heading to Tenerife, and concluded on May 3, 2017 after eighteen episodes, making this the longest series to date. Ahead of the series it was announced that James Argent had taken a break from the series having only appeared in the first half of the previous series. It was also announced that Mario Falcone, Jamie Reed and Charlie King would all be returning to the series. Lauren Pope also made a return to the series during the final episode, and Fran Parman also made a brief return during this episode. This was the first series to include new cast members Amber Turner, Myles Barnett, Yazmin Oukhellou, Jack Rigden, Jordan Brook and Jade Lewis. This was the final series to include cast members Ben Shenel and Ercan Ramadan, as well as Kate Wright who announced her departure ahead of the final episode.

### **Other Appearances**

Celebrity Big Brother

* Amy Childs - Series 8 (2011) - 4th
* Kirk Norcross - Series 9 (2012) - 9th
* Mario Falcone - Series 12 (2013) - 5th
* Sam Faiers - Series 13 (2014) - 5th
* Lauren Goodger - Series 14 (2014) - 7th
* Gemma Collins - Series 17 (2016) - 7th
* Lewis Bloor - Series 18 (2016) - 10th

I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!

* Mark Wright - Series 11 (2011) - Runner-up
* Joey Essex - Series 13 (2013) - 4th
* Gemma Collins - Series 14 (2014) - 12th
* Ferne McCann - Series 15 (2015) - 3rd

Let's Sing and Dance

* Amy Childs and Harry Derbidge - Series 4 (2012) - Eliminated in Heat 2

Splash!

* Joey Essex - Series 1 (2013) - Eliminated in Heat 2
* Gemma Collins - Series 2 (2014) - Eliminated in Heat 1
* Dan Osborne - Series 2 (2014) - 4th

Dancing on Ice

* Lauren Goodger - Series 8 (2013) - 11th

Celebrity Super Spa

* James "Arg" Argent - Series 1 (2013) - Eliminated

The Jump

* Amy Childs - Series 1 (2014) - 13th
* Joey Essex - Series 2 (2015) - Winner
* James "Arg" Argent - Series 3 (2016) - 10th
* Lydia Bright - Series 4 (2016) - 6th

Tumble

* Lucy Mecklenburgh - Series 1 (2014) - 6th

Strictly Come Dancing

* Mark Wright - Series 12 (2014) - 4th

Get Your Act Together

* Elliott Wright - Series 1 (2015) - Eliminated in Heat 4

Celebrity MasterChef

* Amy Childs - Series 11 (2016) - Eliminated

Dance Dance Dance

* Jess Wright - Series 1 (2017) - 4th

## Reception

The genre of "scripted reality" has attracted much criticism for a lack of authenticity, or indeed outright deception.

The show has been criticised for its negative and stereotypical representation of Essex, and there have been a number of complaints to ITV2. Some Essex residents felt it was not a true representation of the area and the people who live there. Kirk Norcross responded to this criticism by saying, "We are all from Essex, so this is Essex, it's not acting. It's not like they've got people from America and said "Right, act like you think you know where Essex is". We are Essex people so what you're watching is Essex."

In April 2011, it was reported that Big Brother 8 winner Brian Belo intended to sue the makers of The Only Way Is Essex, claiming they "stole his idea". Belo was in the original pilot of the show, provisionally titled Totally Essex, alongside current stars Mark Wright, Sam Faiers, Kirk Norcross and Amy Childs. Belo plans to sue his former manager and Lime Productions, which makes the show, for lost earnings of up to £100,000 a series. The Sun reported that Belo had spent the previous two years working on an idea for a United Kingdom version of The Hills, with his manager successfully pitchingthe pilot to Lime Productions. After not making the cast list, Belo believed he might be involved in producing the show, but was "cut" from the production entirely.

On October 24, 2011, it was reported that sisters Sam and Billie Faiers had been attacked by a group of girls on a night out, "The sisters were first targeted inside the club when the girls made off with Billie's handbag... When they left, the gang followed them back to Essex." An inside also commented saying "Both Sam and Billie later went to A&E to get checked out. They are fine now, just a bit shocked, although Sam has been left with two black eyes." A video of the attack leaked online a day later. The aftermath of the attack was aired during Series 3 Episode 10.

In May 2012, it was reported that original cast member Lauren Goodger had fallen out with the show's director for her bad timekeeping on set and her diva demands. Goodger appeared in the first four episodes of Series 5, and was suspended from appearing in the show, however on May 18, 2012, it was confirmed that the issues had been resolved and that Goodger would be returning to the programme. Goodger returned in Episode 9 and her absence from the show was not mentioned on screen.

On December 1, 2012, it was reported that X Factor finalist Rylan Clark would appear on the TOWIE Live special episode and later return as a full-time cast member in 2013. Mario Falcone reacted to the rumours by saying, "If he comes on Monday's live show, that's fine because it's all for charity, but if comes on TOWIE as a main character, I'll leave. We hate him. He's a douche bag." Kirk Norcross commented, "I've met Rylan before and he's actually a really nice boy but when people think of Essex they just think of the abbreviation, the "Shut-up", the "Oh my god", that was all Amy Childs and we don't want that." On December 3, following Falcone and Norcross's comments, Clark pulled out of his one-off appearance for the live episode, later saying, "TOWIE's a great programme and I wish them all the best of luck, but I can't do the show because I've got commitments to the X Factor tour and I've got to be in rehearsals. I've never met Mario in my life, so I find it very unprofessional and ungentlemanly for him to go around talking about people he hasn't even met. Anyone who cheats on his girlfriend that much isn't worth my time."

The live episode was called "an utter car crash" and "possibly the worst TV show ever".

## Production

The show is filmed just a few days in advance, and is narrated by Denise van Outen, who is from Basildon, Essex. The first series ran initially for four weeks, airing every Wednesday and Sunday. The show has been described by the Daily Mirror as Britain's answer to The Hills and Jersey Shore. Series 2 began on March 20, 2011, once again airing every Wednesday and Sunday, but with longer episodes than Series 1. Series 2 also saw the departure of original cast member Amy Childs. The second series consisted of 14 episodes, ending on May 4, 2011. The series returned for a third series on September 25, 2011 and was the final series to feature two of the original cast members Mark Wright whose departure was seen in the final episode while Kirk Norcross departed off-screen like Childs. The series ended on November 9, 2011. On December 2, 2011, it was revealed that many of the cast would not be returning for the fourth series in 2012 but would feature in the 2011 Chrismas Special. The fourth series began in January 2012.

Digital Spy reported that the series had been renewed for a further four series following the Christmas Special and would air four 10-episode runs in 2012. On January 11, it was reported that 12 new characters would be joining the cast.