TOWIE filming postponed following coronavirus outbreak

ITV have confirmed the news

TOWIE logo

by Nathan Katnoria |
Updated on

With self-isolation the order of the day thanks to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, our social lives have taken a serious hit (despite our best efforts to socialise on FaceTime), and it turns out our fave reality stars are suffering just the same.

So much so that ITV bosses have been forced to postpone filming the latest series of TOWIE until later in the year.

Production had been due to start next week but it’s been decided that it would be best to delay things for the foreseeable.

A source told The Sun, “There have been lengthy discussions with the cast, and it just wouldn’t have worked without a busy social scene and going to clubs and their shops. So bosses have decided to wait until later in the year when the crisis has calmed down a bit. It’s not worth the risk.

“TOWIE relies on signature set pieces and glossy events, set in glamorous locations around Essex and involves a big cast of regulars and extras. It's also all about friendships and relationships, so the social lives of our cast members are at the heart of the show.”

CHECK OUT TOWIE's most iconic moments

Gallery

TOWIE's most iconic moments - SLIDER

Amy gives Sam a vajazzle1 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

Amy gives Sam a vajazzle

There's no better place to start than the birth of the 'vajazzle', a crystal encrusted pattern that can be applied to a woman's nether regions to make their bits looks fancy and elegant. Beaut babe. After Amy Childs and Sam Faiers filmed this scene and it had aired, this was the only thing the nation was talking about, with salons across the country starting to offer the beauty treatment so fans of the show could replicate their idols and be a true Essex women.

Kirk calls Maria an extra2 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

Kirk calls Maria an extra

Cast your minds back to when Kirk Norcross and Lauren Pope were a thing (dig deep guys) and Kirk fell out with Lauren's friend Maria Fowler. Obviously, the pair were fighting over literally nothing, but that didn't stop them, as they came head to head in a bar and Kirk ended up calling Maria an "extra". Savage. Things then soured further as Maria started to date Kirk's DAD Mick Norcross, joking that she was Kirk's step-mum.

Arg buys Lydia a pig3 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

Arg buys Lydia a pig

When James 'Arg' Argent and Lydia Bright joined series 2 of the reality show, they instantly became fan favourites, with their romantic love story wooing the nation. So when Arg bought Lydia a micro pig named Mr Darcy to declare his love for her, they both made us think, 'Would our partner do that for us?'. However, it turned out Mr Darcy wasn't a micro pig and was in fact a normal pig, outgrowing Lydia's back garden and having to be sent to a farm to live.

Lauren and Mark get engaged4 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

Lauren and Mark get engaged

How could we forget the first ever engagement of TOWIE, with Mark Wright and Lauren Goodger looking loved up and ready to take on the world. They'd been together nearly ten years before they joined the show and their love seemed to blossom as Mark popped the question, confirming his love for the Essex beauty. There was just one thing, they got engaged in a car park. Classy.

Sam declares her love for Mark5 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

Sam declares her love for Mark

But there was drama just around the corner, as Sam decided she was in love with the hunk and admitted it to his face, making him question whether he wanted to be engaged to Lauren anymore.

Lauren pushes Mark into a swimming pool6 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

Lauren pushes Mark into a swimming pool

Literally, the most iconic moment. Having been questioning his relationship and engagement to Lauren, Mark was having doubts, as was Lauren, after rumours of cheating began to surface and cracks started to show. As Mark headed to a pool party with the rest of the cast, leaving Lauren at home, she was having none of it and decided to unexpectedly turn up. Mark was so surprised and Lauren kicked off, following Mark's comments that she should go back home. She ended up pushing him in the pool and the pair split.

Lucy and Mario get engaged7 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

Lucy and Mario get engaged

TOWIE has seen many of these but Lucy Mecklenburgh and Mario Falcone's engagement was the most romantic, extra TOWIE scene to air. Away on holiday, sunbathing on a yacht, Mario pulls out a whopper of a diamond and asks Lucy to be his wife. Despite the ups and downs in their relationship, it seemed like the pair were finally settled....

Lucy swilling Mario with red wine at a white party8 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

Lucy swilling Mario with red wine at a white party

Cue the drama. Lucy and Mario's relationship becomes plagued with cheating rumours, breaks down and they eventually call it quits. Will there ever be a happy ever after on this show? Probably not.

Harry's 18th birthday party9 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

Harry's 18th birthday party

A favourite party moment of ours was when Harry Derbridge hosted a fancy dress themed party for his 18th, with many of the cast member going over the top (of course). Harry turned up as Lady Gaga, wowing his attendees but let's not forget the late Nanny Pat who turned up as the actual Queen. Icon.

Gemma telling Arg, "You ain't ever gong to get this candy10 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

Gemma telling Arg, "You ain't ever gong to get this candy

After Arg and Lydia broke up then got back together then broke up then got back together then finally ended their relationship, Arg moved on with Gemma Collins, otherwise known as the GC. Yet again, it looked like the pair were made for each other but things soon spiralled out of control and the relationship catastrophically ended, with Gemma turning up in front of everyone at a pool party, whacking off her caftan and shouting "You ain't ever going to get this candy". James just stood in the middle of the pool, mouth opened, shocked. We still haven't recovered.

Sam and Joey have their first date11 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

Sam and Joey have their first date

Sam and Joey Essex were an unlikely match on TOWIE, seen as though Joey was a few years younger than Sam. However, the pair seemed to get on like a house on fire and decided to see whether their friendship would work as a relationship and Joey took Sam on their first date. But he took her to a dump. His reasoning was that it would be "different" and "cool", but it ended up being stinky and gut wrenching instead.

Gemma leaving Mick a pie, and him pieing her off12 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

Gemma leaving Mick a pie, and him pieing her off

Kirk's dad Mick was a catch back in the day, owning the legendary club Sugar Hut, where all the cast members would party on and off screen. One cast member who wanted a bit of Mick was Gemma, who lovingly made him a pie and left it on his doorstep to win his affections. However, it didn't seem to work as Mick said he didn't like Gemma in that way and pied her off with her pie. Ouch.

When Gemma held an exorcism13 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

When Gemma held an exorcism

Gemma is known for her "GC" persona - the larger than life, savage and diva princess. But in one episode, Gemma decided enough was enough and wanted to show the real her. Therefore, the took the logical conclusion to having an exorcism to get "the GC" persona out of her body. You cannot write this stuff.

Joey and Ricky fight in a shop14 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

Joey and Ricky fight in a shop

After Ricky Rayment joined the show, there wasn't an instant connection between him and Joey, after the pair were talking about each other behind each others backs. It all came to a head at the re-opening of Lauren Goodger's beauty salon, with the pair scrapping inside and outside the shop, knocking products over as they fought onto the high street. The fight was seen as so bad, Essex Police were called to stop the pair from fighting. They later apologised to each other and made up.

Gemma and Ferne's diva fight15 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

Gemma and Ferne's diva fight

The fight of all fights. In a quiet, suburban town sit three women as they watch Gemma and Ferne McCann have a war with words over who has "earned their divaship". Nothing else needs to be said, except from TV gold.

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The source explained that producers are following the advice of Public Health England and the World Health Organisation to ensure the safety of cast and crew.

An ITV spokesperson confirmed the news, adding, “After much consideration, it has been decided that the upcoming series of The Only Way Is Essex will be postponed until later in the year.”

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It’s thought that TOWIE will next hit our screens later this year for a 10th anniversary special, which is rumoured to see reality legends Mark Wright and Amy Childs return to the show that made them famous.

Reports claim that Mark, who has since forged a successful presenting career, has been in talks with ITV.

“Mark and producers are in discussions and he’s excited to come back into the fold. It’s thought he may also film some scenes with his sister Jess Wright. It is early days but the former lothario has given the green light to a return for the very first time,” a source told The Sun.

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