We all love the TOWIE Christmas special. There's always a drink being poured over someone’s head, a dramatic exit no one saw coming and that's all before we've even mentioned the glitz and glamour of our favourite Essex stars' outfits. We can't get into the festive spirit without it.
That's why we were left crying into our eggnog last year when it was revealed that The Only Way is Essexmas wouldn't be returning for 2022 and it looks as though we will have to pour another glass.
During a Q&A on Instagram, a fan asked Ella Rae Wise, "Is there a TOWIE Xmas special this year?"
Ella replied with four words we most certainly did NOT want to read.
"Unfortunately not this year 💔💔💔."
Heartbreak, indeed.
Ella's co-star, Diags recently chatted to us about the TOWIE Christmas special and he is clearly on board with the festive episode even if the ITV big wigs are not.
When we quizzed the fan favourite about the potential of The Only Way is Essex's making a return for 2023, Diags was none the wiser.
"We don’t get told anything, so I wouldn’t know," he explained.
This was a month or so back and if Ella's response to the Instagram Q&A is anything to go by, it looks as though a decision has been made. The wrong one, btw.
Diags also added, "I always love a Christmas special. I like to get in the Christmas spirit, so it’s nice. If it was to happen it would be lovely. I leave that up to everyone else, that’s not down to me."
The Only Way is Essexmas is basically a festive staple but it was reportedly axed last year due to a lack of budget and we assume this year is just the same.
It was claimed at the time that the news left the cast worrying for their jobs, with some said to be concerned that the Christmas special being axed could signal bad news for the future of the ITVBe show.
A telly insider explained, “The cast were floored by the news as TOWIE's Christmas specials are something of a tradition, so none of them were expecting to not be filming this time around.
"They were all told that the scheduling didn't work out and the budget is being spent on other things, but it's left them all feeling really nervous about the future for the show.”
The source told The Sun, “It's not a good sign for the series in general if bosses have decided it doesn't make financial sense to film the celebratory one-off.
"Many of them rely on the Christmas special for additional work, and also because it helps maintain their profile as the regular show doesn't air as frequently throughout the year anymore."
The TOWIE Christmas special has provided some of the show’s most iconic moments in previous years. Who could forget Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallet’s big baby announcement? Then there’s that iconic cast rendition of Wham’s Last Christmas led by Jess Wright and James Argent, which was released way back in 2011.