As excited as we are that TOWIE has finally returned to our screens, it's difficult to ignore the fact that these latest episodes were filmed weeks ago - and with this cast, a heck of a lot can change in that space of time.
Seriously, enemies can become friends, friends can become enemies, couples can split, make up and then split all over again in a matter of weeks - in fact, let's be honest, the only constants on this show are that Harry Derbidge will probably be drinking Prosecco and Junaid Ahmed will probably be wearing a bejewelled blazer sans shirt.
So where things stand on-screen right now are not exactly a true reflection of where things stand in real-time and, after attending the TOWIE press dinner last night, Closer can confirm that that applies to a few, erm, series 34 storylines. That's all we can say about that for now - we wouldn't want to spoil anything.
Anyway, one relationship that seems to have come on leaps and bounds since filming for season 34 started is that between Dan Edgar's two leading ladies, Amber Turner and Ella Rae Wise. Right now, on screen, Dan and Ella are relighting the fire in their romance following Dan's indiscretions with another girl in between this series and the last, meanwhile Amber is yet to make an appearance on-screen.
But in the timeline, Amber and Ella are not exactly one another's biggest fans; Amber is keeping well away from what's been going on between Dan and Ella and Ella is reminding Dan that she is not his ex.
The two ladies never really got on before 'Della' became a thing anyway, but as things stand on screen right now, they are definitely not friends.
Fast forward a number of weeks to the present (IRL) and it seems that Amber and Ella are now friendly – at least on Instagram.
In short, Ella created utter mayhem in the Closer office when we spotted that she had commented on an Instagram grid pic of Amber's Girl Band (a group Ella has notoriously locked horns with over the years), now made up of Harry, Elma Pazar, Courtney Green and Chloe Meadows, writing, "Awww love this xxx ❤️❤️❤️."
Do you love this? Since when?
Then – in a move nobody saw coming – Amber replied to Ella's comment with three red hearts.
Does this mean these two TOWIE queens are on speaking terms again? Have the girls moved past their Dan Edgar related beef? What does this mean for Dan and Ella in the here and now? Fab questions – none of which we can answer right now. Soz.
Also, does this mean Ella and Harry's feud is no more, too?
WATCH: a brand new series of TOWIE is here and it's going to be an absolute corker according to Junaid Ahmed
Ben Pulsford is a digital writer for Bauer Media, writing for both Closer online and heatworld. When he's not getting paid to gossip about Big Brother, Love Island and The Real Housewives of Cheshire, he's storming the London LGBTQ+ scene as drag queen, Beary Poppins. Both Ben and Beary are awaiting an invite to join The Real Housewives of Cheshire for series 18. The budget's not there, but the drama is 💅