The twenty-eighth series of the British reality television programme The Only Way Is Essex began airing on 12 September 2021, and concluded on 14 November following 10 episodes. A further two "Essexmas" special episodes aired on 15 and 16 December.[1] Ahead of the series it was announced that the show would be evolving with some changes,[2] including axing a number of cast members to therefore focus on a smaller group of cast and allow more time to film their real lives such as their bonds between family and friends.[3] Cast members confirmed not to be returning for this series were Chloe Meadows, Clelia Theodorou, Courtney Green, Ella Wise, Harry Derbidge, Harry Lee, Kelsey Stratford, Nicole Bass, Rem Larue and Tom McDonnell,[4] joining Georgia Kousoulou, Tommy Mallett and Joey Turner, who had already previously announced they'd quit.[5][6] Bobby Cole Norris also announced that he had quit the series but would be presenting "TOWIE: The Official After Party", a new online spin-off series.[7]
| The Only Way Is Essex | |
|---|---|
| Series 28 | |
| No. of episodes | 12 |
| Release | |
| Original network | ITVBe |
| Original release | 12 September – 14 November 2021 |
| Series chronology | |
Yaz Oukhellou also made her return to the series during the premiere.[8] Despite having been axed from the show, Chloe Meadows, Courtney Green, Ella Wise, Harry Derbidge made brief guest appearances throughout the series[9] alongside Frankie Essex, Georgia Kousoulou, Tommy Mallet and Nikki Blackwell who also made small returns.[10] The series included appearances from two former Love Island stars Joe Garett and Jack Fincham, and new cast members Angel Bo-Stanley and Bill Delbosq also made their debut.[11]
Cast
- Amber Turner
- Amy Childs
- Angel Bo-Stanley
- Bill Delbosq
- Chloe Brockett
- Chloe Meadows
- Chloe Sims
- Clare Brockett
- Courtney Green
- Dan Edgar
- Demi Sims
- Dani Imbert
- Ella Wise
- Frankie Essex
- Frankie Sims
- Georgia Kousoulou
- Harry Derbidge
- James "Diags" Bennewith
- James "Lockie" Lock
- Liam Blackwell
- Nikki Blackwell
- Pete Wicks
- Polly Childs-Wright
- Roman Hackett
- Saffron Lempriere
- Tommy Mallet
- Yaz Oukhellou
Episodes
| Series no. |
Episode no. |
Title | Original air date | Duration | UK viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 342 | 1 | "Episode 1" | 12 September 2021 | 60 minutes | 394,000 |
| 343 | 2 | "Episode 2" | 19 September 2021 | 60 minutes | 422,000 |
| 344 | 3 | "Episode 3" | 26 September 2021 | 60 minutes | 447,000 |
| 345 | 4 | "Episode 4" | 3 October 2021 | 60 minutes | 424,000 |
| 346 | 5 | "Episode 5" | 10 October 2021 | 60 minutes | 355,000 |
| 347 | 6 | "Episode 6" | 17 October 2021 | 60 minutes | 430,000 |
| 348 | 7 | "Episode 7" | 24 October 2021 | 60 minutes | 490,000 |
| 349 | 8 | "Episode 8" | 31 October 2021 | 60 minutes | 434,000 |
| 350 | 9 | "Episode 9" | 7 November 2021 | 60 minutes | 411,000 |
| 351 | 10 | "Episode 10" | 14 November 2021 | 60 minutes | 431,000 |
| 352 | 11 | "The Only Way is Essexmas, Part 1" | 15 December 2021 | 60 minutes | 305,000 |
| 353 | 12 | "The Only Way is Essexmas, Part 2" | 16 December 2021 | 60 minutes | 265,000 |
Ratings
Catch-up service totals were added to the official ratings.[12]
| Episode | Date | Total ITVBe viewers |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | 12 September 2021 | 394,000 |
| Episode 2 | 19 September 2021 | 422,000 |
| Episode 3 | 26 September 2021 | 447,000 |
| Episode 4 | 3 October 2021 | 424,000 |
| Episode 5 | 10 October 2021 | 355,000 |
| Episode 6 | 17 October 2021 | 430,000 |
| Episode 7 | 24 October 2021 | 490,000 |
| Episode 8 | 31 October 2021 | 434,000 |
| Episode 9 | 7 November 2021 | 411,000 |
| Episode 10 | 14 November 2021 | 431,000 |
| Essexmas 1 | 15 December 2021 | 305,000 |
| Essexmas 2 | 16 December 2021 | 265,000 |
| Series average | 401,000 | |
References
- ^ "The Only Way is Essex comes to ITVBe with Christmas special". 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Towie 'axes 10 cast members' as show confirms massive shake-up | Metro News". Metro.co.uk. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ^ "TOWIE set for major shake up with 'at least ten cast members axed'". 22 July 2021.
- ^ "The Only Way is Essex 2021 cast and spoilers from Series 29". 15 November 2021.
- ^ "Two Towie stars are bidding goodbye to the show as they become first time parents". Daily Mirror. Reach plc. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ King, Mel (17 May 2021). "TOWIE's Joey Turner announces he is leaving Essex in emotional The Only Way Is Essex episode". Essex Live. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ "TOWIE star Bobby Norris quits the show after 10 years". Digitalspy.com. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ^ "TOWIE's James Lock 'leaves Essex' as ex Yaz returns after fling with Chloe". 20 September 2021.
- ^ "Iconic stars confirmed for TOWIE return".
- ^ "TOWIE favourite makes shock return following break".
- ^ "Angel Bo Stanley joins TOWIE following Halloween special". 4 November 2021.
- ^ "Four-screen dashboard - BARB". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.