When you take a look at the TOWIE cast it’s easy to assume that they came straight out of the womb preened, plucked, plumped and ready for a showbiz lifestyle of glitz and glamour in Brentwood, however that isn’t always the case.
In fact, many of the stars of the ITVBe show didn’t originally plan on becoming a reality star and only joined the show because of their connection with another of its cast members.
One such star is Danielle Armstrong who has opened up about her pre-fame life and admitted she never wanted to be famous or work in the showbiz industry.
Speaking on Vicky Pattison’s The Secret To podcast, Danielle explained how she ended up on TOWIE and revealed, “I never wanted to be famous or in the industry. I was dating Lockie at the time, when I had my fashion job.
“I was a buyer for Topshop and when he got asked to go on that show, I was talking to him at the time so then I got asked. That just naturally happened.”
Hold up, let’s rewind a minute. Danielle was a buyer at Topshop? How did we not know this sooner?
We’re absolutely obsessed though. Just imagine all the fashionable freebies she used to get - and that's before we even get started on the staff discount...
Is Danielle Armstrong pregnant?
Danielle revealed she's pregnant with her second child in January 2023 after marrying her childhood sweetheart, builder Tom Edney, last August.
Danielle announced the exciting news on Instagram as she shared a video of herself holding up three positive pregnancy tests and telling the camera, "Baby number two, here we go."
The video also featured clips of Danielle having a scan and her two-year-old daughter Orla touching her bump and saying, "Big sister, yay."
Danielle captioned the post, "Baby Edney No2… Oh we can’t wait to meet you.
"We are absolutely over the moon 🌙 that we will be adding another bubba to our family summer 2023 ☀️ 🫶🏻 @tommyedney.
"I know Orla is going to be the most amazing Big Sister 👧🏼."
Danielle's followers rushed to congratulate her in the comments section, with Ferne McCann writing, "Yayyyyyyyyy we are so excited ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ the best news."
Georgia Kousoulou added, "So so happy love you all so much ❤️," while Kate Ferdinand added, "Fabulous news, congratulations my darling ❤️❤️❤️."
Billie Shepherd, who recently gave birth to her third child said, "Huge congratulations darling 😘❤️🥰 wonderful news ❤️ lots of love xxx."
When was Danielle Armstrong on TOWIE?
Danielle first rose to fame when she joined the cast of The Only Way Is Essex back in 2013, but her three-year stint on the ITV2 show that made her name was plagued by drama and heartbreak as her toxic romance with her ex-boyfriend, co-star James Lock, played out on screen.
Six years on, the Essex star, 33, is living a much calmer and quieter life – swapping reality TV for her nutrition business, and settling down with Tom, her partner of four years, and their daughter.
Who is Danielle Armstrong's partner Tom Edney?
Danielle and Tom have known each other from the age of three and, despite it taking almost three decades for the couple to come together for good, they wasted no time in moving in with each other, welcoming a baby and getting engaged – all within 12 months.
Danielle previously told Closer, “You know the saying, ‘Anything can happen in a year’? Well, that’s my life! For any other woman in their 30s looking for love, I’m proof it can happen. I believe there’s a plan for our lives and it’ll happen when you least expect it.
“People may think, ‘Wow, that’s so quick,’ and maybe even that we were a little bit irresponsible, but the thing about love is taking the risk. I didn’t listen to others’ opinions, although most were positive.”
Recalling the early stages of their relationship, Danielle added, “We moved in together after two weeks, but it felt right. Our families were so happy. Maybe if he was a complete stranger, I might have given it six months before he had a key!
“Then the moment I found out I was pregnant, which was just two months into our relationship – it was the best news in the world for both of us. We had the honeymoon period and the serious part all rolled into one!”
Before Tom, Danielle was dating Essex Lothario James “Lockie” Lock, 35, and the pair endured explosive rows on the show, as well as rumours he had slept with another girl, before his partying eventually drove them apart for good.
Danielle also said she holds no bad feelings for her ex – who went on to have another explosive relationship with TOWIE co-star Yazmin Oukhellou – and wouldn’t change how everything played out.
“My relationship with Lockie was toxic, but it was a learning curve and I have no regrets,” she said.
“Relationships are brilliant because you learn to find out what you want, and you learn to have self-worth. In my 20s, I felt like I needed a man to fulfill something in my life, but by the time Tom and I got together, I was looking for someone to add to what I already had.”
Despite their early lives going in different directions, Tom and Danielle reunited in secondary school at the age of 11 – though she says he was “more interested in football than girls” – and they shared their first kiss when they were 18.
But when they both took different paths again, and met new partners, it was tragedy that brought the couple back together, when Danielle sadly lost her best friend Sammy – a mutual school friend – to breast cancer in 2018.
The couple met at the funeral – when Danielle was dating footballer Daniel Spiller – then were reunited after attending an annual charity event held for Sammy the following year.
“Some may say she made that happen, I don’t know,” Danielle said. “I turned up at an event, and I had just broken up with someone. I was 31 and I felt like I had to start over again. But I felt more secure and confident in myself.
“I remember walking in and seeing Tom and having that same feeling I had when I was 18. We had both just come out of relationships and he asked me if I wanted to go out. I was grinning like a Cheshire cat. For 20 years, it had never been the right time, and now it was perfect timing.”
The pair welcomed Orla in May 2020, and Danielle said parenthood has only strengthened their bond.
“It’s a love you can’t explain. He’s the father of my baby. As soon as he saw what I went through giving birth, which wasn’t the best experience, it just brings you closer and we have so much respect for each other. He’s an amazing dad. Orla is 100 per cent a Daddy’s girl!” Danielle gushed.
How old is Danielle Armstrong?
Danielle is currently 34 years old. She was born on 3 May 1988.
Does Danielle Armstrong have Instagram?
Yep, you can follow her at @daniellearmstrong88.
Danielle Armstrong: ‘My tips for love’
Trust the process
“I really believe in the phrase, ‘When you know, you just know.’ I think you always know if something’s right with someone or not. It’s a real gut feeling.”
Ditch the checklist
“When I met a man in my 20s, I would ask, ‘Are they good-looking? Do they have a good job? Are they good in bed? What hobbies do they have and what can they bring to the table? Are they spontaneous? Are they romantic?’ Don’t be so picky! Everyone’s different.”
Don’t have regrets
“Relationships are brilliant because you learn to find out what you want and what you’re looking for going forward. So don’t spend time thinking about how you wasted time!”
WATCH: Chloe Brockett on her secret row with Yaz, feuding with the Sims sisters and Mark Wright returning
Check out: TOWIE - 11 of the worst love triangles EVER
TOWIE love triangles - slider
1 of 11Mark Wright, Lauren Goodger and Sam Faiers
The OG TOWIE triangle. When we were first introduced to the Essex lot, Mark was dating long term girlfriend Lauren but from the very first episode it was clear that he was less than committed by his outrageous flirting with one Sam Faiers.
2 of 11James 'Arg' Argent, Lydia Bright and Gemma Collins
Gemma and Arg have had more ons and offs than a light-switch at closing time, but before Gemma was Arg's long-term love Lydia. It's been ongoing with Arg and Lydia regularly hanging out, and Arg often talking about how 'close' they are when he was still with Gem.
3 of 11Lauren Pope, Chloe Sims and Mario Falcone
TOWIE OG's Lauren and Chloe formed a close bond during their lengthy reigns as Queen Bees, but in 2014 hit the rocks when they were both played by love rat Mario. But in a sisterly twist, Lauren ended up standing up for Chloe in a showdown with Mario in the penultimate episode of that series.
4 of 11Jake Hall, Chloe Lewis and Lauren Pope
Jake Hall and Chloe Lewis had been dating for an impressive six years when a kiss with Lauren led to them nearly splitting up in 2016. As is often the way in reality telly land, soon after joining the cast as a couple, temptation called and after his rendezvous with the glamour model he lied through his teeth about it for months.
5 of 11Chloe Sims, Amber Turner and Dan Edgar
Dan and Amber had a turbulent relationship from the beginning but during and on/off period in 2019 Dan and Chloe crossed the line from friendship to romance after a holiday fling in Thailand. However, it wasn't long before Dan went back to Amber, leaving Chloe hurt and humiliated.
6 of 11Harry Lee, Frankie Sims and Chloe Brockett
First Chloe and Harry were dating, but after they split in 2019 Harry began cracking on with Chloe Sims little sister Frankie. But WAIT; in October 2019 Harry was caught flirting up a storm with his ex Chloe, leading to a series of blazing rows and the eventual demise of Hankie. Chloe later told Closer, "Harry is a good looking boy. I am close to him."
7 of 11Gemma Collins, Rami Hawash and James Argent
It seems nothing ever ran smoothly with Gemma and Arg. In 2013, Arg was distraught when Gemma got engaged to businessman Rami but their betrothal was short lived and they split in 2014. Cue six years of back-ing and forth-ing with Gemma and Arg, before they eventually split "for good" in 2020, with Gemma now back dating Rami.
8 of 11Shelby Tribble, Sam Mucklow and Tom McDonnell
Shelby and Sam are now proud parents to a bouncing baby boy but it wasn't always smooth sailing between them. During series 24 (and that fateful Thailand trip) Sam and Shelby grew romantic but when Sam had his head turned by Demi Sims, Shelby ended the series snogging Tom.
9 of 11Charlie Sims, Ferne McCann and Jasmin Walia
Charlie and Ferne were an established couple but the series ten trip to Las Vegas certainly rocked their foundations when Charlie gave in to temptation. After sexting Jasmin, Charlie found himself alone with her and the two shared a snog, with him later coming clean to Ferne who was at home in Essex.
10 of 11Diags, Fran Parman and Tom Pearce
This one got VERY complicated, given that Diags and Tom were best mates. While Diags couldn't admit that he was in love with his then housemate Fran, Tom decided to intervene by romancing Fran himself to try and give Diags the kick up the bum he needed. It was looking a bit iffy for a while there, but Diags and Fran ended up dating for three years with his friendship with Tom in tact.
11 of 11Mark Wright, Lauren Goodger and Lucy Mecklenburgh
It was clear it was doomed from the start, wasn't it? In between (!) his flirtations with Sam Faiers and his actual relationship with Lauren Goodger, Mark was romancing a teenaged Lucy, and brought her to Lauren's charity fashion show. Cue tears and lifelong insecurity for our Loz. Sob.