It's wild to think we've just witnessed our 34th TOWIE season finale, and after watching the most recent one, we want to give a shout-out to the producers of TOWIE. It's not an easy job. Time and time again they're expected to cough up a TOWIE series finale that out-dramas the previous series, and come number 34, that's not an easy task. Still, there's a formula to it. An absolutely banging TOWIE series finale requires: a whopping great big party featuring at least one explosive row (preferably one that's been brewing for some time), the return of former cast members and/or guest stars, some sort of resolution between enemies, some sort of teaser of what's to come (avec some seriously poor acting/set-up scenes), and finally, a vulnerable moment from a main character. We got all this and more at Roman Hackett's 'Roman Empire party', and our vulnerable moment came courtesy of Ella Rae Wise this series.
We adore Ella here at Closer – we make no secret of that – and while we're used to her constantly serving strong, independent queen, she pulled back a couple of layers in the series 34 season finale, and although we appreciate it must've been hard to be that vulnerable on camera, we're so glad she chose to do so.
At the beginning of the finale, Ella opened up to her besties Jodie Wells and Dani Imbert at the nail salon, explaining why Dan Edgar's elusiveness on a stag do 'triggered' her (she was scared that Dan was doing the dirty behind her back), leading her to blocking Mr Edgar.
Opening up about a previous relationship, she revealed something shocking to her friends.
She said, 'I've been on the receiving end of being blocked and been kicked out of someone's house and not known as to why, and always questioning myself and asking, "What have I done wrong? I was everything I could've been for you." I just feel like now it's going to be so hard for me to give my all to someone because I'm going to be rejected again.'
While she didn't name names, it's likely Ella is talking about the serious relationship she was in with a mystery man in 2023. While last year's mystery man (the man she was with just before Dan) was kept out of the public eye, we do know things got pretty serious between the pair, with Ella even moving into a mega-mansion with him.
Then in January of this year, Ella alluded to the fact that she had been cheated on, sharing a meme on her Instagram story which read, 'Cheating on your partner then coming home to them and looking them in their eyes telling them you love them is a whole different level of disrespect. I said what I said.'
Later on in the series finale, Ella opened up to Dan at Roman's big bash, sharing more about how she has been hurt in past relationships.
The TOWIE star told him, 'Obviously in my previous relationships, fellas have gone on holiday, done what they've done behind my back and I've found out when they've got home. I know I've always been naive to it and thought, "No, they're not going to do that to me, it's lies, it's not happened..." So when I'm not hearing from you on your holiday, well, I'm triggered a little bit. This is what I've been through before. I'll just block you, because then I can run away from it.'
While Ella and Dan appeared to be on good terms and even back to where they were come the end of the episode, it appears that since filming the finale they have split.
A source told Closer, ‘It’s officially over for TOWIE’s Dan Edgar and Ella Rae Wise.
‘After a steamy romance which started in Bali earlier this year, the pair have decided to call time on the love affair.’
The split is said to be amicable, with both Dan and Ella throwing themselves into other ventures after parting ways.
The source said, ‘Dan is set to focus on training for Dancing On Ice, whilst Ella has jetted off to Dubai for a month before filming starts for the TOWIE Christmas special.
‘There isn’t any bad blood between the pair and it was fun while it lasted, but a long term relationship was sadly not on the cards.’
In a new twist, it was recently claimed that the TOWIE queen is dating someone new. According to reports, Ella is dating millionaire’s son Teddy Brunt and is currently spending time with him in Dubai.
WATCH: Here are even more TOWIE stars who aren't originally from Essex including an OG cast member 😱
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 💅.