It’s no secret that we’re huge TOWIE fans here at Closer HQ – in fact, we bang on about it every day – so imagine our concern when we heard rumours that the ITVBe show could face the axe amid reports just 48,000 viewers tuned into the series 34 finale.
A world where we can’t turn on our tellys and catch up with the likes of Ella Rae Wise, Dan Edgar and Amber Turner every week doesn’t bear thinking about.
However, it seems we don’t need to worry after all as Junaid Ahmed has opened up about the show’s viewing figures and apparently A LOT more people are watching than was first reported.
Speaking during an appearance on the Sisters in the City podcast, hosted by Love Island’s Anna Vakili and her sister Mandi, Junaid said, ‘This series is probably the most watched series of TOWIE. We found out yesterday it’s been streamed 8.5million times, which is insane.’
He added, ‘It’s been through the roof.’
According to Junaid, the fact that the latest series of TOWIE has been so successful is what led to ITV greenlighting another Christmas special after a three-year hiatus.
‘We start filming in literally a few weeks’ time, but we’ve literally not had a Christmas special in three years,’ he told Anna and Mandi.
‘Last series has done so well for us to be given another Christmas special.’
Junaid’s ratings revelation is a far cry from the claims that just under 50,0000 people watched the latest finale, which led to former cast member Bobby Norris calling for the show to be cancelled.
‘If you can’t even pull in 50,000 viewers, I think, do you know what, give the show the respect and maybe say when,’ he said on his FUBAR radio show Access All Areas.
‘It’s like having a dog in the corner of the kitchen that’s dragging a broken leg.’
Current cast member Ella was quick to respond to Bobby’s comments on Instagram, writing, ‘‘It may not be the same as old TOWIE, but times do change, people move on and we also have to move with the times too! 🥰🥰🥰 We all still do our best to bring entertainment, laughter and drama which I don’t think we fail to do either!
‘Would be nice to see your face back on the show, we miss ya! X x x.’
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Nathan Katnoria is Closer's Senior Digital Writer and resident TOWIE expert. He's seen all 34 (thirty four!!) series of the ITVBe show and regularly reminisces about forgotten TOWIE romances from years gone by. Although he's never been to Brentwood, Nathan has interviewed loads of TOWIE faves past and present including Sam Faiers, Chloe Brockett, Diags and Georgia Kousoulou.