The cast of The Only Way Is Essex is set to look rather different this year.
The ITVBe show recently wrapped up filming its latest series, and aired a Christmas special during the festive season.
But the New Year is bringing some bad news for a lot of TOWIE stars.
Those said to be “not pulling their weight” face the axe, The Sun reports.
Chris Clark, Amber Dowding, and Mike Hassini are among those leaving.
Jack Rigden, Jordan Brook, Maddie Hooper and Ruby Lacey will also not be returning this year.
A spokesperson for TOWIE told the tabloid: “There are a number of cast who have mutually agreed their time on the show has come to a natural end for now.
“We wish them well and look forward to another exciting year ahead for Towie.”
Last year, an insider explained of the changes: “The cast of the show is huge, and bosses are thinking they’ve got some people adding nothing to the show, while the rest of the cast bring huge storylines and loads of emotional, drama-packed scenes.”
Supposedly, show bosses were unhappy with some cast members not showcasing their ‘real lives’ on screen for viewers.
“Towie reflects the drama of the cast’s lives, and some of them are living one life off-screen, and another life on-screen,” the insider explained.
The source told the tabloid that old timers like Chloe Sims, Gemma Collins and James Locke will be safe, as the show goes “back to its roots”
“The show has always been strict about only showing what’s really going on in the cast’s lives, and if the cast aren’t willing to have that on camera, they could face being booted off,” the insider added.
They concluded: “Producers want to reward the cast who make the show great, and get rid of the ones who don’t.”
TOWIE can prove a lucrative gig for those who appear regularly.
Apparently even minor stars of the ITVBe series can make as much as £10,000 a month outside of the show thanks to advertising and sponsorship deals.
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