"It's time for me to step away"
Essex stalwart Jessica Wright has quit The Only Way Is Essex after five "amazing" years, she's announced today.
While on location in Gran Canaria, where the TOWIE cast are filming their new series, Jess posted a video about her decision on Twitter.
She said: "Hi everyone, I just want to let you all personally know that after five amazing years on The Only Way Is Essex, it's time for me to step away.
"I've had the best time and I want to say thank you all so much for all your support.
"You will be seeing me soon and I'm also going to be keeping up with all the goss in Essex. Love you all lots."
Jess, 30, is the sister of ex-TOWIE star Mark Wright and was one of the original line-up when the show launched in 2010.
Just two months ago she lost her grandmother, Nanny Pat, who had also appeared frequently on the show.
She's also had a tumultuous relationship with co-star Ricky Rayment, which ended in disaster in November 2014 when they split publicly on TOWIE.
Later, when he started dating Marnie Simpson, Jess revealed that he had been planning to propose to her before it all ended in tears.
As well as her reality TV career, Jess managed to launch her own clothing range (With Love, Jessica), modelled for Ann Summers, became the face of a teeth whitening brand AND released three solo dance tracks in her five years since coming to fame.
One thing's for sure: this girl will not be resting on her laurels, post-TOWIE. What even is a laurel? Has heat got them? We'll report back.
TOWIE returns to ITVBe later this month.