Following news that TOWIE star Mario Falcone has been suspended from the reality show, fans feared that the show was in crisis after the departure of several other key cast members.
With show regulars Ricky Rayment, Dan Osborne and Jasmin Walia also quitting the ITV show, producers may be left struggling to fill out scenes without adding new characters.
A spokesperson for the show explained to 3am that they felt many of the popular characters had simply reached the end of their natural TOWIE life.
They said: “They review the cast every series and it was simply a case of these cast members had run out of mileage and weren't really connected to the others anymore."
Jasmin blamed her lack of air time for her departure from the reality show, saying: "I was frustrated towards the end that my storylines weren't getting followed up. It's only natural that everyone wants to be featured as the main part of the show."
A TOWIE spokesman told The Mirror: "The last series of TOWIE delivered brilliant on screen moments and we were thrilled by the reaction to the new cast alongside our more established old favourites.
Bosses were also forced to deny that Elliott Wright had not ENTIRELY quit the show following his move to Marbella, with his scenes still being shot in the Spanish town.
"It is always our policy to review the cast before a new series. Elliott has not left the show and will appear in Series 15, which starts filming in Marbella very soon."
What do you think of the TOWIE cast ‘cull’? Does is put you off tuning in?