We're not really allowed to have TOWIE faves here at Closer HQ; to be honest, it all gets a bit biased and awkward when we have to report on the intimate details of their lives on and off camera for you lot, so we do our best to stay as neutral as we can. But now he's been away from the show for three years, we can officially and proudly say, we LOVE Bobby Norris and always have/will.
We're guilty of using the phrase 'TOWIE legend' far too colloquially here at Closer, but Bobby – in addition to Gemma Collins, Chloe Sims, and Lydia Bright (who we can also now rave about as former TOWIE stars) – really is a legendary TOWIE icon.
From making the schlong thong a thing to his legendary conversations with The GC to his iconic one liners, Bobby made electric telly for TOWIE fans for almost a decade.
The reality star turned presenter first appeared on the programme in series four back in 2012, and remained on the show (well, on and off) until his dramatic departure in 2021.
But do you remember why Bobby finally decided to part ways from the show that made him a household name (well, if your house watches a lot of ITVBe)?
Fans were left stunned in early 2021 when Bobby took to Instagram to reveal the news that he was 'stepping back' from the show. He wrote at the time, 'After 10 years on TOWIE the show and the fans have been such a huge part of my life, but you haven’t seen the last of me and this is the start of an exciting new chapter!!'
He later expanded upon said 'new chapter' in an Instagram Q&A, where one fan asked, 'What made you not want to film TOWIE and just do the after show?'
Bobby replied, 'It’s no secret that the last series I filmed was a tough one and emotionally draining for me, so it felt like the right time to take a step back and concentrate on my presenting career and then I was offered the job of hosting the official after party which I’ve absolutely adored!!'
During his final series, Bobby was involved in drama with his ex-boyfriend Harry Derbidge (who is currently going through it on series 34 with his now ex Joe Blackman). Viewers will remember that while Harry denied cheating all those years ago, but Bobby insisted that the TOWIE OG had been unfaithful.
In 2020 (woah, throwback), Bobby also split from his ex-Matt Snape, sharing the news on Instagram, he wrote, 'I can confirm that Matt and I are no longer together. We share some amazing memories of our time together and I truly wish him all the best.. x.'
While the couple seemingly ended on good terms, it was reported that Bobby was left in 'total shock' after Matt reportedly joined Tinder just days after the split.
The seemingly happy couple had been dating for over a year and viewers even saw the pair discussing starting a family.
'We’re together for over a year now, which is incredible,' Bobby said to Matt during one scene.
'Where is your head in terms of being a parent, getting married - is that something you see yourself doing?'
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'100%. Always have done, since I was little. I’ve always known that I’ve always wanted a family life," Matt said. 'And I think, when the time’s right, and when you’re ready in every aspect to make that step, 100%. We’ll go for it.'
Even co-star Amy Childs seemed convinced the couple were meant to be, asking, 'So when’s the wedding... you look so happy together.'
'We ain’t there yet, I ain’t got a ring,' Bobby jokingly replied.
The star met Matt at a salsa class on the show, seemingly turning around his back luck when it came to finding love.
Bobby had dated fellow TOWIE star Harry Derbidgeas well as MMA trainer Chris Parkes, before taking part in 2017’s Celebs Go Dating.
Unfortunately, he split from Jack, who he met on the programme, just weeks after the cameras stopped rolling.
In 2024, Bobby's life looks very different to meeting The GC at Brentwood Kitchen for a game of one-liner ping pong. He is now an award-winning TV presenter and hosts Access All Areas on Fubar Radio. He is also set to star in the latest series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins with the likes of Love Island's Georgia Harrison and fellow former TOWIE star, Pete Wicks.