The Only Way Is Essex Explained

Alt Name:TOWIE
Genre:Reality television
Creator:Ruth Wrigley
Tony Wood
Starring:Current and former cast
Narrated:Denise van Outen
Country:United Kingdom
Language:English
Num Series:32
Num Episodes:396
List Episodes:List of The Only Way Is Essex episodes
Camera:Multiple-camera setup
Runtime:30-35 mins (1–20)
60 mins (specials, series 22–present)[1]
Company:Lime Pictures
Network:ITV2 (2010–2014)
ITVBe (2014–present)
Last Aired:present

The Only Way Is Essex (often abbreviated as TOWIE) is a British reality television series based in Brentwood, Essex, England. It shows "real people in modified situations, saying unscripted lines but in a structured way."[2] Broadcast on ITV2 from 2010, the series was moved to ITVBe in October 2014.[3] The first series consisted of 10 episodes and ran for 30 minutes, with a Christmas special following later in the year. Due to popularity, the runtime was extended to 45-minute episodes and renewed for a year's airing. On 22 May 2011, the series won the Audience Award at the 2011 BAFTA Awards.

On 13 March 2016, ITVBe aired a one-off documentary hosted by former cast member Mark Wright, discussing the history of the series. On 28 February 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.[4]

Series

See main article: List of The Only Way Is Essex episodes and TOWIE Live.

YearSeriesNumber of
episodes
Average viewersChannel
2010Series 110977,000ITV2
2011Series 2141,466,000
Series 3141,772,000
2012Series 4101,518,000
Series 5101,576,000
Series 6101,267,000
Series 7101,441,000
2013Series 8121,379,000
Series 9121,386,000
Series 10121,379,000
2014Series 11121,491,000
Series 12121,581,000
Series 13111,092,000ITVBe
2015Series 1413992,000
Series 1512910,000
Series 16121,069,000
2016Series 17141,123,000
Series 18101,056,000
Series 19101,044,000
2017Series 20181,047,000
Series 2118898,000
2018Series 2210996,000
Series 23111,112,000
2019Series 2411956,000
Series 2511991,000
2020Series 2618746,000
2021Series 2711575,000
Series 2810401,000
2022Series 2911600,000
2023Series 3010125,000
Series 3111
2024Series 3211

Cast

See main article: List of The Only Way Is Essex cast members. This is a list of the main and supporting cast members currently appearing in the series. From series 1 to 3, the main cast received star billing in the opening credits and were credited by their first names.

Cast memberDuration
Lauren Goodger2010–2012, 2015–2016
2024–present
Amy Childs2010–2011
2020–present
Harry Derbidge2010–2011, 2014
2020–present
James "Diags" Bennewith2012–present
Dan Edgar2015–present
Chloe Meadows2016–present
Courtney Green2016–present
Amber Turner 2017–present
Jordan Brook2017, 2022–present
Saffron Lempriere2018–present
Ella Wise2019–present
Dani Imbert2021–present
Roman Hackett2021–present
Bill Delbosq2021–present
Elma Pazar2022–present
Junaid Ahmed2022–present
Sophie Kasaei2023–present
Joe Blackman2023–present
Jodie Wells2023–present
Freddie Bentley2024–present

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.[5] It contributed to the popularity of Essex girl jokes.[6] Some Essex residents felt it was not a true representation of the area and the people who live there.[5] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] 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."[12]

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[13] – alongside current stars Mark Wright, Sam Faiers, Kirk Norcross and Amy Childs. Belo planned to sue his former manager and Lime Productions, which makes the show, for lost earnings of up to £100,000 a series.

On 24 October 2011, it was reported that sisters Sam and Billie Faiers had been attacked by a group of girls on a night out in London: "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 insider 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.[14] 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 18 May 2012, it was confirmed that the issues had been resolved and that Goodger would be returning to the programme. She returned in episode 9 and her absence from the show was not mentioned on screen.

On 1 December 2012, it was reported that The 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 he comes on TOWIE as a main character, I'll leave. We hate him. He's a douche bag."[15] [16] 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."[17] On 3 December, 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."[18]

The live episode was called "an utter car crash"[19] and "possibly the worst TV show ever".[20] [21]

Production

The show was initially filmed just a few days in advance and has been narrated by Denise van Outen since its inception. The first series ran 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.[22] Series 2 began on 20 March 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 4 May 2011. The series returned for a third series on 25 September 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 9 November 2011.[23] On 2 December 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 Christmas Special.[24] 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.[25]

On 20 March 2020, it was announced that filming for the forthcoming twenty-sixth series had been postponed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on television. ITV said the move was to ensure the "safety of the cast and crew".[26] Whilst off air, it was announced that the show would return later in the air with an extended series for the show's 10th anniversary and would include the return of old cast members, as well as going back to two episodes per week.[27] The show returned for its twenty-seventh series on 14 March 2021 where it once again reverted to just one episode per week. Despite filming for this series taking place during a national lockdown, some restaurants and pubs opened especially for the show.[28]

Two months after the twenty-seventh series had aired, the production team announced that the cast would face an overhaul, with several cast members having been axed. They described the change as an evolution of the series and explained that it would allow for the remaining cast to be featured more. They also assured axed cast members that they would be able to receive welfare support from ITV if needed and thanked them for appearing on the series.[29]

Music

In December 2011, the cast of the series released a cover of the Wham! song "Last Christmas", with their own version of the theme song "The Only Way Is Up" as the single's B-side. All profits from the single went to Text Santa.[30]

Singles

ArtistSingleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
UK
SCO
Cast of Series 3"Last Christmas"33 43
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

The Only Way Is Marbs – Marbella Sessions

The Only Way Is Marbs – Marbella Sessions is a 61-song compilation album released 23 June 2014[31] to coincide with the start of series 12 which saw the return of The Only Way Is Marbs. The album is mixed by Lauren Pope.

The Only Way Is Essex – Dance Anthems

The Only Way Is Essex – Dance Anthems is a 61-song compilation album released on 13 October 2014.[32] The album is the second to be mixed by Lauren Pope.

DVD releases

Series Date released No. of episodes No. of discs Special features
The Complete First Series 28 March 2011 112 2010 Christmas Special
The Complete Second Series26 September 201114 3 Chapter Selections
The Complete Third Series 20 January 2012 15 32011 Christmas Special
The Complete Fourth Series 7 May 2012 10 2 Chapter Selections
The Complete Fifth Series 1 October 2012112 The Only Way is Marbs Special
The Complete Sixth Series 8 October 201210 2 Chapter Selections
The Complete Seventh Series 18 February 2013 11 2 1 episode of 2012 Christmas Special

Notes and References

  1. Web site: TOWIE set for MAJOR episode shake-up as series 22 confirmed for 2018. Charlotte. Tutton. 21 December 2017.
  2. News: Grace Dent's TV OD . . 23 October 2010 .
  3. Web site: ITV announces new channel ITVBe, exclusive new home of TOWIE . Jeffrey . Morgan . 12 February 2014 . . . 12 February 2014 .
  4. Web site: PICTURES! The Only Way Is Essex cast 2017 - who's on the show!. 5 March 2017.
  5. News: Sam Faiers defends The Only Way Is Essex. Music Rooms. 2010-10-19. 2011-04-08.
  6. News: Halford . Jodie . 2017-03-09 . What is the true meaning of 'Essex girl'? . en-GB . BBC News . 2021-10-17.
  7. News: The Only Way is Essex: the worst address in England?. The Telegraph. 2010-10-17. 2011-04-08. London. William. Langley.
  8. News: TV's The Only Way Is Essex slammed as 'offensive'. Ilford Recorder. 2010-10-11. 2011-04-05. 30 November 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101130234417/http://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/home/tv_s_the_only_way_is_essex_slammed_as_offensive_1_677073. dead.
  9. News: ESSEX: ITV2 show The Only Way is Essex could set us back 20 years. This Is Total Essex. 2010-10-14. 2011-04-05. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101112051831/http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/news/set-20-years/article-2754688-detail/article.html. 12 November 2010. dmy-all.
  10. News: The Only Way Is Essex was insultingly bad. Metro. 2010-10-20. 2011-04-08. 23 April 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110423132058/http://www.metro.co.uk/tv/844643-the-only-way-is-essex-was-insultingly-bad. dead.
  11. News: The Only Way is Essex...?. Alexandra's Complaints of the Day. 2010-10-12. 2011-04-08.
  12. News: Only Way is Essex stars: We really do represent our area. Weinfass. Ian. London 24. 11 March 2011. 8 April 2011. 6 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120406125533/http://www.london24.com/news/only_way_is_essex_stars_we_really_do_represent_our_area_1_847911.
  13. News: Love . Ryan . 15 April 2011 . Brian Belo 'suing Only Way Is Essex makers' . 18 April 2022 . Digital Spy . en-GB.
  14. News: Goodacre . Kate . 24 October 2011 . 'TOWIE' Sam Faiers 'attacked by gang' . 22 January 2012 . Digital Spy . en-GB.
  15. Web site: Rylan Clark drops out of live 'TOWIE'. Tom. Eames. 3 December 2012. Digital Spy.
  16. Web site: Rylan shuns TOWIE after branded a 'douchebag'. 3 December 2012. PinkNews.
  17. Web site: Mario, Kirk may quit TOWIE over Rylan. Victoria. Garo-Falides. 30 November 2012. Digital Spy.
  18. Web site: Hope . Hannah . 3 December 2012 . Your Ry-Q is too low for TOWIE: Rylan Clark quits show after Mario jibe . Daily Mirror . en.
  19. Web site: Wardle . Hilary . 4 December 2012 . TV review: TOWIE Live - the only way is dire . https://web.archive.org/web/20121207013046/https://tv.uk.msn.com/what-to-watch/tv-review-towie-live-the-only-way-is-dire . MSN . 7 December 2012 . 1 April 2014 . dead .
  20. Web site: TOWIE Live Review: Panned As The Worst TV Show Ever (TWITTER REACTIONS) . The Huffington Post . 2012-12-04 . 2014-04-01.
  21. Web site: Martin . Laura . TOWIE Live panned by viewers as the worst piece of TV ever. Daily Mirror . 2012-12-04 . 2014-04-01.
  22. Web site: The Only Way Is Essex: Our guide to the jaw-dropping new TV show. Huddson. Polly. 10 December 2010. Daily Mirror.
  23. Web site: Watch the new TWATS trailer - The Only Way Is Essex . Itv.com . 2012-01-22 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120118013553/http://www.itv.com/channels/itv2/itv2shows/theonlywayisessex/storysofar/exclusive/mark-wright-towie-tease/ . 18 January 2012 . dmy-all .
  24. News: Sperling . Daniel . 2 December 2011 . 'TOWIE': Five cast members axed? . 22 January 2012 . Digital Spy . en-GB.
  25. Web site: Christopher . Hooton . TOWIE 'recommissioned for four more series' . . 13 November 2011.
  26. News: Coronavirus: The Only Way is Essex postpones filming. BBC News. 20 March 2020.
  27. Web site: TOWIE will be back this autumn with familiar faces for a 10th-anniversary series. Josh. Darvill. 6 June 2020. TellyMix.
  28. News: Pike . Molly . TOWIE viewers slam show for filming club and restaurant scenes during lockdown . 21 July 2021 . . 15 March 2021.
  29. 1417933669927460866. This change allows our cast more time to film their real lives, showing more of their personal passions and professions, alongside their strong bonds and dynamics with family and friends ✨. The Only Way Is Essex. OnlyWayIsEssex. 21 July 2021.
  30. Web site: 'Only Way Is Essex' stars confirm Christmas single. Digital Spy. 10 November 2011. 2012-01-22.
  31. Web site: The Only Way Is Marbs - Marbella Sessions [Box set]]. 2014. Amazon.co.uk.
  32. Web site: iTunes - Music - The Only Way Is Essex - Dance Anthems by Various Artists. Apple iTunes UK.