Last month, TOWIE fans were shocked when Lauren Goodger announced her return to the show that first brought her fame a decade ago. But now as her comeback, which is expected to be this February, fast approaches, insiders say the reality TV favourite, 37, fears she’ll be forced into reliving what has been an incredibly traumatic two years for her.
A source says, “Lauren has been feeling more anxious than ever since confirming her return to TOWIE because of all the horrific things she’s been through since we last saw her on the show.
“She’s not sure how much of her real-life she can bear to share with everyone because it’s too painful, and she hates the idea of bringing it up for the sake of entertainment. And she’s said that given the last few years she’s had, she can’t deal with being in the heart of any of the TOWIE drama.”
Joining the show in 2010, Lauren left two years later but proved a huge hit with viewers for her explosive make-ups and break-ups with her ex-boyfriend of 10 years, Mark Wright. Lauren then built her own Essex beauty brand and welcomed daughter Larose with ex-boyfriend Charles Drury in 2021, but the past two years have been marred by tragedy for the star.
In July 2022, Jake McLean – who Lauren dated on and off for four years until 2016 – died in a car crash while on holiday in Turkey. Then just days later, Lauren revealed devastating news that her newborn daughter Lorena had died moments after her birth when the umbilical cord had caught around her neck.
In August, Charles was arrested – and later charged – for allegedly assaulting Lauren on the day of their daughter’s funeral. He pleaded not guilty to the claim. And while Lauren has bravely begun to rebuild her life with Larose – moving into a new home to make a fresh start in October 2022 – the source says the single mum is now bracing herself to be thrown in at the deep end.
The insider says, “Although Lauren can put up a tough exterior, deep down she is very insecure and emotional. “Lauren knows she can’t pretend like none of these things happened to her, but she’s vowed to stay true to herself, hold her head up high and not let anyone bring her down on or off camera.”
