After much speculation, it’s finally been confirmed that a number of former TOWIE stars will return to the show that made them famous to celebrate its 10th anniversary later this year.
The exciting news was announced in a statement on the show’s Instagram, which read, “The Only Way is Essex is returning to @itvbe to celebrate its 10-year anniversary series!
“It’s time for another visit for a gossip and glamour with surprise visits from some of our favourite TOWIE faces from the past decade, who are returning to our screens to join in the celebrations of this anniversary series.”
It’s not been revealed exactly when the show will air but the statement teased, “The upcoming mega-series will return to screen later this year as the show celebrates this special anniversary with not one but two episodes every week. What happens in Essex, won’t stay in Essex!”
The former stars making a comeback are being kept under wraps for now but Mark Wright and Amy Childs are among the names rumoured to appear.
Check out the former TOWIE stars we’d love to return...
TOWIE stars we want to return
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1 of 8Mark Wright
He's the original Essex bad boy and still one of the most memorable TOWIE faces so of course Mark Wright is top of our wish list. Plus, we might get a cameo from wife Michelle Keegan.Most iconic TOWIE moment: His emotional departure from the show after saying goodbye to ex Lauren and BFF Arg
2 of 8Lauren Goodger
Alongside Mark, Lauren was one half of the show's first ever power couple. Their on/off relationship provided some serious dramz so we'd love to see what would happen if they were reunited on screen.Most iconic TOWIE moment: Unexpectedly arriving at Mark's pool party and pushing him into the swimming pool
3 of 8Amy Childs
Amy's salon was home to some of the show's most memorable moments in the first few series of TOWIE, not to mention the birth place of the vajazzle. She deserves a comeback for that alone.Most iconic TOWIE moment: Introducing the world to the vajazzle
4 of 8Joey Essex
Following Mark's departure from the show, TOWIE need a new alpha male to fill his shoes. Enter: Joey Essex, who soon made a name for himself with his 'reem' catchphrase and general Joey-isms. He's appeared on several reality shows since leaving Essex but we need him to return to where it all started.Most iconic TOWIE moment: His fight with Ricky Rayment at the re-opening of Lauren Goodger's salon
5 of 8Sam Faiers
Sam became a fixture on the show due to her romances with Mark and Joey, as well as her close friendship with sister Billie. Their shop Minnie's was Brentwood's boujeeist boutique and became the go-to for the latest Essex style. Sam's experienced huge success with The Mummy Diaries since leaving TOWIE so we'd love to see her on the show again.Most iconic TOWIE moment: Confessing her love to Mark just after he'd got engaged to Lauren
6 of 8Kirk Norcross
As the son of Sugar Hut overlord Mick Norcross, Kirk was one of TOWIE's main characters before he left to star in Celebrity Big Brother. He's since stayed out of the spotlight so it would be fab to see him on our screens once more.Most iconic TOWIE moment: When he called Maria Fowler a "f--king extra"
7 of 8James 'Arg' Argent
He was introduced viewers as Mark Wright's best friend but Arg soon became a TOWIE legend in his own right and has starred in a whopping 21 series of the show. He's been off the show for a few years while battling a cocaine addiction but after turning over a new leaf, he recently admitted he'd love to return for the anniversary.Most iconic TOWIE moment: Buying a micro-pig (which turned out to be not-so-micro) named Mr. Darcy for then-girlfriend Lydia Bright
8 of 8Gemma Collins
She never officially left the show but it's been far too long since we've seen Gemma Collins on TOWIE. Since bursting on to our screens in series two, the GC's provided SO many of the show's best moments so it wouldn't be right to celebrate the anniversary without her.Most iconic TOWIE moment: "You ain't ever gonna get this candy"
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The announcement comes after James Argent opened up about whether he’d return to TOWIE for the anniversary celebrations.
He went told The Sun, "There is talk of a ten year anniversary reunion and I don’t feel like you can have one unless I’m in it, right?"
It doesn’t sound like he would make a permanent comeback though, as he added, "I’m proud to say I was on it from Day One and I feel like it’s my baby but in terms of coming back and being a full time cast member, I think that chapter in my life has closed.”
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Another former face we could see return to the show is Dan Osborne after his wife Jacqueline Jossa revealed they were approached to appear on TOWIE together.
Speaking about potentially appearing on the ITVBe show, the actress teased, "I could be on TOWIE soon - me and Dan are gonna come back."
During an Instagram Live, which she starred on with TOWIE's Bobby Norris, the mum-of-two explained, "They did actually ask us a while ago, but I was on EastEnders so I couldn't but I was like 'Oh my God, imagine me on TOWIE!’.”
With all the drama surrounding their on/off marriage, they’d fit right in.