The Only Way Is Essex | |
---|---|
Season 1 | |
No. of episodes | 10 + Christmas special |
Release | |
Original network | ITV2 |
Original release | 10 October – 10 November 2010 |
Series chronology | |
The first series of The Only Way Is Essex , a British semi-reality television series, began airing on 10 October 2010 on ITV2. The series concluded on 10 November 2010 after ten episodes. An Essexmas special aired on 24 December 2010 and is included on the Series 1 DVD. This is the first series to include cast members Amy Childs, Billie and Sam Faiers, Harry Derbidge, James "Arg" Argent, Jess and Mark Wright, Kirk Norcross, Lauren Goodger, Lauren Pope, Lucy Mecklenburgh, Lydia Bright, Maria Fowler and Patricia "Nanny Pat" Brooker, and the only series to feature Candy Jacobs and Michael Woods. The series focused heavily on the aftermath of Mark and Lauren G's break-up and his attempts to get over her by turning to both Lucy and Sam. It also featured Arg trying to win back his ex-girlfriend Lydia, and Kirk's brief romance with Amy before getting with Lauren P.
Series No. | Season No. | Title | Original airdate | Duration | UK viewers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | "Episode 1" | 10 October 2010 | 60 minutes | 1,144,000 |
In the aftermath of Lauren G and Mark’s breakup, he is torn whether to attend her big birthday bash or not, and his attention wanders elsewhere into the direction of Sam. Kirk hits the gym in an attempt to impress Amy, whilst she seeks advice on how to woo her love interest. The pressure is on for girl band LOLA as they perform at Lauren G’s birthday party in front of a Universal representative, and Lauren G is sickened to see Mark and Sam together. The exes give each other some cold truths before Mark gives Lauren G a shock ultimatum over their relationship. | |||||
2 | 2 | "Episode 2" | 13 October 2010 | 30 minutes | 781,000 |
Lauren G plans to turn her life around after her breakup with Mark and starts with looking for a new place to live as well as following a new career path. The gang head to a speed dating event where Kirk is jealous to see Amy flirting with other boys, before asking her out on a date to the zoo. Arg struggles to chat up girls despite Mark’s best efforts at giving advice, and Lauren G lashing out at Mark when they come face-to-face with him once more. | |||||
3 | 3 | "Episode 3" | 17 October 2010 | 30 minutes | 896,000 |
Amy is far from impressed that Kirk is taking her to the zoo on their first date, but he uses it as an excuse to show off his interests. Sam faces an awkward confrontation with Lauren G as she quizzes her over her kiss with Mark, and Jess is over the moon when LOLA have a successful meeting with Universal. Elsewhere Amy goes up in the world as her modelling career takes off, Mark agrees to be LOLA’s new manager, and Kirk has a heart to heart with his Mum over the men in her life. | |||||
4 | 4 | "Episode 4" | 20 October 2010 | 30 minutes | TBA |
Before Kirk takes Amy on their first date he seeks advise from Candy over what girls expect from dates, and Mark announces that he has a new girlfriend; Lucy. As Lauren G interviews some hopefuls for a fashion event, she comes face-to-face with Lucy but the pair fail to realise who each other are. Amy and Kirk’s date turns out to be a success, Arg is depressed as he comes up with a plan to win his ex-girlfriend back, and Mark receives a shock when he takes Lucy out on a date - only to bump into Lauren G. | |||||
5 | 5 | "Episode 5" | 24 October 2010 | 30 minutes | 675,000* |
Arg prepares for his performance at the 1960s themed party but is thrown to hear that Lydia will be making an appearance. Amy rages when Kirk tells her he is taking another girl to the party but receives a welcome surprise when he shows up with his Mum for her to meet. A bitter Lauren G resorts to insults when she’s faced with Lucy, and Kirk and Amy bicker again when he catches her dancing with Arg. Arg has a heart to heart with Lydia where he finally apologises for cheating on her – but he’s left broken when she tells him they have no future together. | |||||
6 | 6 | "Episode 6" | 27 October 2010 | 30 minutes | 954,000 |
Lauren G panics as her fashion night approaches and is urged by her boss to allow Lucy to have her designs on the catwalk. Mark announces the plans for his new club to rival Kirk’s Sugarhut, and Sam has it out with her old friend Lucy about her new romance with Mark. With a model down Lauren G snaps up Mark to help her out knowing it would rub Lucy up the wrong way. Amy begins to have second thoughts about her blossoming relationship with Kirk, whilst Lauren G gives a nod to all the designers at her event but deliberately leaves Lucy out. | |||||
7 | 7 | "Episode 7" | 31 October 2010 | 30 minutes | 1,015,000 |
With Mark’s club Deuces’ launch night round the corner, he becomes desperate to make sure it runs smoothly so hires Sam and Lydia to help out. Kirk refuses to apologise to Amy for his jealous outbursts, whilst Lydia agrees to put the past behind her and see where things go with Arg. Elsewhere LOLA are told that there are big things ahead but need to ditch Mark. And Lucy forces Mark to choose between her and Lauren G when she catches them speaking again. Mark is left heartbroken when the launch night descends into chaos and his new bar burns down. | |||||
8 | 8 | "Episode 8" | 3 November 2010 | 30 minutes | 852,000 |
Kirk has a business meeting with Lauren P to entice her to DJ at the Sugarhut, but is soon interrupted when Sam catches them together and reports back to Amy. After letting Mark go as their manager LOLA celebrate their recent success. Amy hosts an Indian night with bad blood between her and Kirk when she finds out that he’s planning on taking Lauren P out on a date. Meanwhile, Arg is delighted when he and Lydia make it official again. | |||||
9 | 9 | "Episode 9" | 7 November 2010 | 30 minutes | 1,009,000 |
Amy is on a mission to find a man and even joins a dating site, whilst Kirk takes Lauren P out on a date but has to bite his tongue when she receives attention off another man recognising her from her DJing. Lydia is fuming when she walks in on Arg hosting auditions for ring girls for Mark and Kirk’s big fight, and Julian consoles Lauren G as he tells her there’s still chemistry between her and Mark, and predicts Lucy is going to get hurt. Meanwhile Amy and Sam are smitten as they go on a double date. | |||||
10 | 10 | "Episode 10" | 10 November 2010 | 60 minutes | 975,000 |
Mark and Kirk get some last minute training before their big fight. Lauren G is faced with a huge dilemma when she’s offered a job in Dubai, will she put her job before her feelings for Mark? Lucy has it out with Lauren G as it’s revealed that Mark is still in regular contact with her, and Amy invites her date to the boxing match. Mark is victorious over Kirk but his celebrations are short lived when Lauren G tells him about her job opportunity. Amy consoles a bruised Kirk in the aftermath of the fight. | |||||
11 | 11 | "The Only Way Is Essexmas" | 24 December 2010 | 60 minutes | 973,000 |
Arg is faced with an impossible task of winning Lydia back when she feels he’s spending far too much time being led astray by Mark. Lauren G and Lucy clash again until they realise that Mark has been playing them both against each other, whilst Sam tells Amy she’s also slept with Mark. After LOLA lose a band member they host auditions for a replacement, and Arg goes all out to make it up to Lydia, buying her a pig for Christmas. Mark ends his short lived romance with Lucy and cuts all ties with Lauren G before leaving the Christmas party with Sam. |
Episode | Date | Official ITV2 rating [1] | ITV2 weekly rank [1] | Official ITV2+1 rating [1] | Total ITV2 viewers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Episode 1 | 10 October 2010 | 988,000 | 6 | 156,000 | 1,144,000 |
Episode 2 | 13 October 2010 | 590,000 | 8 | 191,000 | 972,000 |
Episode 3 | 17 October 2010 | 729,000 | 6 | 167,000 | 896,000 |
Episode 4 | 20 October 2010 | ||||
Episode 5 | 24 October 2010 | 675,000 | 8 | ||
Episode 6 | 27 October 2010 | 697,000 | 8 | 257,000 | 954,000 |
Episode 7 | 31 October 2010 | 814,000 | 6 | 201,000 | 1,015,000 |
Episode 8 | 3 November 2010 | 661,000 | 9 | 191,000 | 852,000 |
Episode 9 | 7 November 2010 | 835,000 | 6 | 174,000 | 1,009,000 |
Episode 10 | 10 November 2010 | 778,000 | 4 | 197,000 | 975,000 |
Essexmas | 24 December 2010 | 717,000 | 7 | 256,000 | 973,000 |
Series average | 752,000 | 7 | 192,000 | 977,000 |
The Only Way Is Essex is a British reality television series based in Brentwood, Essex, England. It shows "real people in modified situations, saying unscripted lines but in a structured way." Broadcast on ITV2 from 2010, the series was moved to ITVBe in October 2014. The first series consisted of 10 episodes and ran for 30 minutes, with a Christmas special following later in the year. Due to popularity, the runtime was extended to 45-minute episodes and renewed for a year's airing. On 22 May 2011, the series won the Audience Award at the 2011 BAFTA Awards.
The second series of The Only Way Is Essex, a British semi-reality television programme, began airing on 20 March 2011 on ITV2. The series concluded on 4 May 2011 and consisted of fourteen episodes. This is the first series to include Carol Wright, Chloe Sims, Debbie Douglas, Frankie Essex, Gemma Collins, Joey Essex, Mick Norcross and Nicola Goodger, and briefly included Leah Wright, the cousin of Mark and Jess Wright, before she later returned in the ninth series. It is the last series to include Amy Childs before her return in 2020. The series heavily focused on the relationship between Lauren G and Mark, where the pair celebrate an engagement, failed to win over the support from the Wright family, before splitting when Mark puts his club promoting before his fiancée. It also featured the demise of Arg and Lydia's relationship, the blossoming romance between Joey and Sam, and Kirk and Lauren P taking things to the next step despite the disapproval from her best friend Maria.
The third series of The Only Way Is Essex, a British semi-reality television programme, began airing on 25 September 2011 on ITV2. The series concluded on 9 November 2011 and consisted of fourteen episodes. An Essexmas special aired on 20 December 2011 and is included on the Series 3 DVD. This is the first series to include Billi Mucklow, Cara Kilbey, Mario Falcone, Peri Sinclair, twins Dino and Georgio Georgiades and briefly included Mark Wright Snr, the father of Mark and Jess Wright, before he later returned in the sixth series. It is the last series to include Harry Derbidge, Kirk Norcross, Maria Fowler and Mark Wright having all appeared since the first series. The series heavily focused on the romance of Mark and Sam despite obstacles like their respective exes Lauren G and Joey, the beginning of Lucy and Mario, and Arg and Lydia facing rocky patches in their relationship.
The fourth series of The Only Way Is Essex, a British semi-reality television programme, began airing on 29 January 2012 on ITV2. The series concluded on 29 February 2012 and consisted of ten episodes. This is the first series to include Bobby Cole Norris, Charlie King, Chris "Little Chris" Drake, Georgina Dorsett, James "Diags" Bennewith, Ricky Rayment and Tom Kilbey. It is the last series to include twins Dino and Georgio Georgiades, and Peri Sinclair who had appeared since the third series, and Nicola Goodger who first appeared during the second series. The series heavily focuses on new boy Ricky causing a stir in Essex by going behind the boy's backs and trying to get with many of the girls, as well as the strain between friendships when Billi finds love with Cara's brother Tom, and Jess finally cuts Lauren G out of her life. It also features the aftermath of Arg and Lydia's break-up, and Lucy and Mario hitting another rough patch in their turbulent relationship.
The fifth series of The Only Way Is Essex, a British semi-reality television programme, began airing on 15 April 2012 on ITV2. The series concluded on 27 May 2012 and consisted of ten episodes. A "The Only Way Is Marbs" special aired on 13 June 2012 and is included on the Series 5 DVD. This is the first series to include new cast members Danni Park-Dempsey, Tom Pearce and Joan Collins, who is the mother of Gemma Collins. It is the last series to include Georgina Dorsett, who made her debut during the previous series. The series mainly focused on the bitter fallout between Charlie and Gemma following their break-up and her spreading rumours about his sexuality, as well as the rekindled romance between Joey and Sam, and a new relationships for Tom K and Lydia, Ricky and Jess, and Lauren P and Tom P. It also included a divide between the boys of Essex, and Lucy and Mario getting engaged.
The sixth series of The Only Way Is Essex, a British semi-reality television programme, began airing on 22 July 2012 on ITV2. The series concluded on 22 August 2012 after ten episodes. This is the first series to include new cast members Darrell Privett, who is the ex-boyfriend of Lauren Pope, and was the only series to feature Jamie Reed, who later returned for two cameo appearances during the eighth series. It also included the brief return of original cast member Mark Wright, who made an appearance without a speaking part. His dad, Mark Wright Snr also returned to the series having previously appeared briefly in the third series. This was the final series to feature Lauren Goodger until her return during The Only Way Is Essexmas special in 2015. The series focused heavily on the rivalry between Lucy and Sam when Sam investigates rumours that Mario has been cheating, it also includes a love triangle between Lauren G, Lauren P and Tom P, and a declaration of love as Bobby realises the extent of his feelings towards Charlie.
The seventh series of The Only Way Is Essex, a British semi-reality television programme, began airing on 30 September 2012 on ITV2. The series concluded on 31 October 2012 after ten episodes. Following the series, three festive special episodes aired from 2 December to 19 December 2012, including one live episode. The Only Way Is Essexmas special episode is included on the Series 7 DVD and Britbox, however for unknown reasons the other two specials were aren't on this DVD. This was the first series to include brand new cast members and siblings Jasmin and Danny Walia. Jasmin had previously appeared during the Essexmas special of the first series auditioning for girl band LOLA.
Carol Ellen Wright is an English television personality. She is best known as a former recurring cast member on the ITVBe reality television series The Only Way Is Essex.
"TOWIE Live" is the second episode of a series of special episodes airing throughout December 2012 of The Only Way Is Essex. The episode originally aired live on the ITV2 television network in the United Kingdom on 3 December 2012, becoming the first reality television series to ever broadcast a live episode.
The eighth series of The Only Way Is Essex, a British semi-reality television programme, began airing on 24 February 2013 on ITV2. The series consisted of 12 episodes. Series 8 marked the first series not to feature Lydia Bright, after her departure from the series in December 2012. The series also saw the departure of numerous supporting cast members and introduced new supporting cast members.
The ninth series of the British semi-reality television programme The Only Way Is Essex began airing on 2 June 2013 and included the 100th episode of the series which aired 12 June 2013. This was the first series not to feature both Mick Norcross and Debbie Douglas after their departure from the show during the previous series although Douglas made a cameo appearance in Episode 11. Both appeared in the show from series 2–8. It was also the first series not to include Kirk Norcross since he returned to the cast in series 7. On 12 April 2013, ahead of series, Lucy Mecklenburgh announced on Twitter that her relationship with Mario Falcone had ended. The series began with two The Only Way Is Marbs specials.
The tenth series of the British semi-reality television programme The Only Way Is Essex was confirmed on 10 July 2013 by cast member Bobby-Cole Norris on Twitter. The series began on 6 October 2013 with two The Only Way Is Vegas specials and was followed by a regular run of the series from 13 October 2013 until 13 November 2013. This was the last series to feature Joey Essex, with him making his final appearance in the series finale, and Lucy Mecklenburgh after she departed the series during the Christmas special at the end of the series. This series also marked the arrival of new cast member Elliott Wright, cousin of Mark and Jess Wright.
The eleventh series of the British semi-reality television programme The Only Way Is Essex was confirmed on 30 January 2014 when it had been announced that it had renewed for a further three series, the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth. The series premiered on 23 February 2014 with a 60-minute special, and was followed by another 11 episodes. This was also the first series not to include Lucy Mecklenburgh after her departure during the Christmas special after the tenth series. The series also saw the return of Lydia Bright. This was the penultimate series to feature on ITV2
The twelfth series of the British semi-reality television programme The Only Way Is Essex was confirmed on 30 January 2014 when it had been announced that it had renewed for a further three series, the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth. The series began on 22 June 2014 and started with two The Only Way Is Marbs specials. This series focused on the blossoming relationship between Chloe and Elliott, Bobby ending the romance between Harry after finding out he's still seeing his ex-boyfriend, the rivalry between Chloe and Ferne after cheating rumours came to light, and Arg's attempts to win back Lydia. It was the last series to feature on ITV2 before moving to ITVBe later that year.
The thirteenth series of the British semi-reality television programme The Only Way Is Essex was confirmed on 30 January 2014 when it had been announced that it had renewed for a further three series; the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth. The series launched on 8 October 2014 with two The Only Way Is Ibiza specials. It was the first series to feature on ITV's new channel ITVBe, which also launched on 8 October 2014. The first episode of The Only Way Is Ibiza featured a live afterparty straight after the episode hosted by ex-cast member Mark Wright and narrator of the show Denise van Outen.
The fourteenth series of the British semi-reality television programme The Only Way Is Essex was confirmed on 26 November 2014 when it had been announced that it had renewed for at least a further two series, the fourteenth and fifteenth. It is therefore the first series to be included in its current contract. The series launched on 22 February 2015 and was immediately followed by a one-off special "TOWIE: All Back to Essex" hosted by Mark Wright. It is the second series to feature on ITV's new channel ITVBe. It was the first series to include new cast members Dan Edgar, Jake Hall and Chloe Lewis, and the last to feature Charlie Sims, Dan Osborne, Jasmin Walia, Leah Wright and Ricky Rayment. Frankie Essex also made a brief return to the series having last appeared during the tenth series.
The fifteenth series of the British semi-reality television programme The Only Way Is Essex was confirmed on 26 November 2014 when it had been announced that it had renewed for at least a further two series, the fourteenth and fifteenth. The series launched on 14 June 2015 with two Marbella specials. After the launch of the new series, it will be immediately followed by another one-off special "TOWIE: All Back to Essex" hosted by Mark Wright. It is the third series to feature on ITV's new channel ITVBe. As well as confirming the new launch date, it was confirmed that ITV had renewed their contract keeping the show for a further six series, taking it to Series 21. Ahead of the series it was announced that cast member Ricky Rayment had taken a short break from the show but would be back, however he did not return. It was also confirmed that Mario Falcone had been suspended from the show for the second time, this time after promoting slimming pills on social media. He returned during the fourth episode. This was the final series to feature long-running cast member Gemma Collins until her brief return for the Essexmas special, and first to include new cast member Pete Wicks.
The sixteenth series of the British semi-reality television programme The Only Way Is Essex was confirmed on 3 June 2015 when it was announced that it had renewed for at least a further six series, taking it up to 21 series. It is therefore the first series to be included in its current contract. The series launched on 4 October 2015 with two Marbella specials. After the launch of the new series, it was immediately followed by another one-off special "TOWIE: All Back to Essex", hosted by Mark Wright. Ahead of the series it was announced that cast member Gemma Collins had quit the show having appeared since the second series, however she later returned for the Essexmas special. This was also the final series to feature original cast member Lauren Pope, who quit mid-way through the series, Jess Wright and Ferne McCann who both announced their departures from the show ahead of the seventeenth series. This was also the final series to include Patricia "Nanny Pat" Brooker following her death. A Christmas special of the show aired on 16 December 2015 which featured the brief return of former cast members Gemma Collins, Lauren Goodger and Mario Falcone.
The seventeenth series of the British semi-reality television programme The Only Way Is Essex was confirmed on 3 June 2015 when it was announced that it had renewed for at least a further six series, taking it up to 21 series. It is the second series to be included in its current contract. The series will launch on 28 February 2016. Ahead of the series it was announced that cast member Jess Wright had quit the show having appeared since the first series in 2010. Ferne McCann also confirmed that she would be taking a break from the show but would be back. It will be the first series to include new cast members Chloe Meadows, Courtney Green, and Chris and Jon Clark. Jon previously appeared on ITV2's Love Island.
The eighteenth series of the British semi-reality television programme The Only Way Is Essex was confirmed on 3 June 2015 when it was announced that it had renewed for at least a further six series, taking it up to 21 series. It is the third series to be included in its current contract. The series launched on 17 July 2016 with a special entitled The Only Way is Mallorca. Ahead of the series it was announced that cast member Jake Hall had quit the show having appeared since the fourteenth series. Despite quitting the show at the end of the sixteenth series, Jess Wright made a one-off appearance to support Bobby over the loss of his dog. It was also the first series not to include long-running cast member Lewis Bloor, who quit during the previous series. New cast member Amber Dowding joined the show for this series. Love Island winners Nathan Massey and Cara De La Hoyde also made guest appearances during the ninth episode of the series. This was the final series to include Billie Faiers after it was announced she had quit the show.