Former TOWIE star Frankie Essex tells pals she's aiming to transform her body in 2019 after an injury ruined her fitness routine
She admitted to Closer last year that she’d gained weight after a hectic schedule and knee injury left her unable to workout.
And while she proudly displayed her size 14 curves in a bikini on holiday in Tenerife last week, Frankie Essex has told pals she’s now keen to get active again and slim back to a slender size 8 in 2019.
A source says, “Frankie struggled to exercise in 2018 and that really affected things. It’s also been Christmas and like everyone, she enjoyed herself. She has a sweet tooth and loves things like ice cream. Frankie's told friends she isn’t feeling great about herself but she doesn’t want to beat herself up. She says she's determined to get back to a size 8, which is when she feels her most confident and healthy.”
CHECK OUT axed TOWIE stars where are they now?
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Harry Derbridge, series 1- 3 and 12
Harry Derbridge was a Towie original and still holds a very special place in our hearts. He made a welcome return to the show as Bobby Norris's love interest but, allegedly, cheated on him.
Harry Derbridge, 2018
Harry now works it as a make-up artist. Is it us, or does he look like he might have had a little help with lip fillers?
Maria Fowler, series 1 - 3
Maria, on the left with Joey Essex and Chloe Sims in 2011, was in the show from the get-go but her TV career was rocked when it was alleged she'd worked as an escort. She's since said she quit 'by mutual consent' after she refused an on-screen romance with Mick Norcross.
Maria Fowler, 2018
Maria's now a proud mummy, engaged to be married and a self-proclaimed permanent make-up artist.
Dan Osborne, series 8 - 14
Dan Osborne, pictured here with James Argent in 2013, managed seven series on the show. He was given the boot after a series of recordings, claiming to show Dan being verbally abusive towards his ex-girlfriend Megan Tomlin, came to light.
Dan Osborne, 2018
Dan is still in the spotlight due to his relationship with ex-EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa. In May 2018 he described their marriage as "unhappy".
Amber Dowding, series 18 - 21
Amber was part of a mega cull of seven Towie characters in January 2018. She claimed that she and her boyfriend Chris Clark were cut because they were happy. They've now split and Chris has reappeared on the show.
Amber Dowding, 2018
If Amber's social media is anything to go by, she now appears to mostly be on holiday. Pretty goals from where we're sitting.
Mike Hassini, series 16 - 18 and 21
Mike Hassini brought a hot bod to Towie and...not much else. He was cut in January 2018 due to a lack of storylines as he was loved-up outside the telly show.
Mike Hassini, 2018
Mike is working as a PT, still loved-up, and still has a very hot bod. He has subsequently appeared briefly in gym scenes on the show.
Jack Rigden, series 20 - 21
Jack Rigden tried hard, so hard, to make an impression on Towie but his lack of on-screen romance and agg saw him get very little camera time. He was part of the big cull of January 2018.
Jack Rigden, 2018
Jack's Instagram bio describes him as an "absolute geezer". Which is nice.
Jordan Brook, series 20 - 21
Jordan and Jack were brought in as friends of Megan McKenna. When she quit, they were left without any storylines.
Jordan Brooks, 2018
Jordan is now dating Sofia Filipe of Ex On The Beach fame. Aww.
Ricky Rayment, series 4 - 14
We still think very fondly of Ricky. His rocky relationship with Jess Wright was a huge part of the show but when they finally broke up, well... Ricky left the show "by mutual agreement"with Towie bosses.
Ricky Rayment, 2018
Ricky now seems to mainly go fishing.
Tom Pearce, series 5 - 13
Remember when Tom Pearce dated Lauren Goodger following her split from Mark Wright? That was an odd time. He was quietly shown the back doorof the show in 2014.
Tom Pearce, 2018
Honestly? We're not 100% sure what Tom is actually doing these days. He used to work in the City, and his holidays certainly look pretty epic, so maybe that.
Grace Andrews, series 11 - 12
Grace almost had a romantic relationship with Lewis Bloor (shudder) and that was the beginning and end of her time on Towie.
Grace Andrews, 2018
Grace is now involved in a semi-permanent make-up company. Those Towie stars must really hate cleanser.
Fran Parman, series 11 - 16
Fran's original romantic interest was Tom Pearce but he stepped aside to allow Diags to woo her. Bad luck. Their relationship was turbulent but apparently not turbulent enough for show producers. Diags stayed, she went.
Fran Parman, 2018
Fran and Diags split and she now hangs out in clothing that does not look very practical.
Jasmin Walia, series 1 and 7-17
Jasmin managed eight series until she was given the boot. In 2015 her agent stated: "TOWIE is very storyline dependent and Jasmin did not have much going on that we could show on screen."Ouch. She went on to audition for The X Factor. It did not go well. She also took part in reality show Desi Rascals, that lasted for one series.
Jasmin Walia, 2018
Jasmin is still being papped, which is more than can be said for some of the other ex-Towie stars.
Jake Hall, series 14 - 17
Jake's time of TOWIE was mainly characterised by him being mean to our sweet Essex princess Chloe Lewis including many accusations of infidelity, plus rumours he'd slept with Megan McKenna.
Jake Hall, 2018
Jake subsequently became engaged to former Real Housewives of Cheshire star Misse Beqiri. They have a baby together but in December 2018Jake was given a restraining order following a bust up with his fiancée.
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Frankie, 32, whose figure has yo-yoed over the years, famously shed two stone in just eight weeks in 2016 after developing a love of exercise - even releasing a fitness DVD to detail her regime.
But the reality star struggled to maintain her slim new figure and revealed her confidence was seriously knocked a year later while celebrating her 30th birthday in Tenerife when she was cruelly shamed by a fellow holidaymaker.
And insiders say Frankie's recent weight gain has made her nervous to go back to the gym – despite her determination to transform her figure.
The source adds, “Frankie hasn't worked out for a long time and that’s made her really nervous about getting back into it. She’s admitted she’s too nervous to go back to her old gym right now as she’s not feeling confident in her workout gear. She’s considering going to her former TOWIE co-star Billi Mucklow’s yoga studio in Essex as she knows that’s great for toning. She wants to lose the weight but has vowed to do it slowly and sensibly. Friends have told her once she gets started she’ll soon get back into the swing of things.”
Frankie split from ex-boyfriend John Lyons in 2015, insisting she had been “miserable” throughout the romance and claiming that he was a “feeder”.
Earlier this year, it was revealed she was eager to find love again and had turned to dating app Tinder to find her perfect match. But pals say the star has now turned her back on dating to work on her confidence.
The source says, “Frankie thought she wanted to find someone new but she’s insisted she needs to be on her own for while more and learn to love herself again before she lets someone else in."
Read more about celebrity fitness in this week's Closer - out now.