TOWIE set for therapy spin-off as former stars return

The Only Way Is Essex is reportedly set for a therapy-style spin-off series that will see former cast members return to revisit defining moments in their lives.

ITV bosses have reportedly given the green light for the new format, which could feature stars including Gemma Collins and her ex-boyfriend James Argent returning for an emotional showdown on screen.

The Only Way Is Essex, often abbreviated as TOWIE, is a British reality television series based in Essex, England. Premiering in 2010, the BAFTA award-winning show has broadcast 38 series, documenting the personal lives, relationships, break-ups, marriages, births, and family tragedies of its ensemble cast.

TOWIE producers pitched the new concept to senior executives at ITV, who approved the project to move forward. The prospective series aims to offer viewers a deeper look into the cast's personal journeys through guided therapy sessions.

A source told The Sun: "Towie is known for documenting everything from births and breakups to deeply personal turning points. And now they want to place the show’s stars in a more introspective spotlight."

The source added: "Each episode will pair a cast member with a therapist, inviting them to open up on camera about defining moments in their lives."

Hard-hitting topics and prospective cast return

The spin-off is expected to cover a range of serious personal topics. Potential storylines include Lauren Goodger discussing the heartbreaking loss of her baby daughter, Lorena, and Harry Derbidge discussing his experiences with an eating disorder.

The format could also bring former couple Gemma Collins and James Argent face-to-face to reflect on their past romance. The pair had an on-and-off relationship during their time on the reality show.

An insider told The Sun: "It’s in the early stages at the moment but the show is coming together and ITV and the production company are really keen to push ahead. It feels fresh and new, and gives fans of Towie even more content from their favourite faces."

Production is currently scheduled to begin soon, with the show expected to air sometime next year. Representatives for ITV have been contacted by the Daily Mail for official comment.

Feuds and ongoing cast drama

The reports of the spin-off come amid heightened drama and reported rifts among current members of the TOWIE cast, including an ongoing feud between Elma Pazar and Harry Derbidge.

The fallout between Pazar and Derbidge occurred last year while filming scenes in Vietnam. Pazar recently broke her silence regarding the conflict during an appearance on Billie Faiers's You Alright, Hun? podcast.

Reflecting on their past friendship, Pazar said: "We were really close, at one point we were inseparable."

She added: "I was on the phone to Harry all the time, we lived through a lot together, we lived through Harry’s worst days together. I’d say it was extremely hard for Harry but it was hard for both of us because you do take on your friends’ problems."

Pazar indicated that while small steps had been taken, the relationship remained strained, stating: "You’ll see, but I’d say we’re taking steps forward, but I would say there are no more steps."

Addressing whether the friendship could be fully restored following subsequent filming in Albania, Pazar added: "I think it was going in that direction and obviously Albania was nice but it was still very much like co-existing and keeping each other at arm’s length."

She concluded: "I was quite stern and had no intention of making up with Harry anyway, so for me it probably didn’t upset me as much as he would have wanted me to be upset by it. It is what it is."

Fallout during filming in Albania

The tensions in Albania extended to other cast members, with Lauren Goodger revealing that her relationship is done with co-star Junaid Ahmed following a major disagreement while filming abroad for the ITV series.

The 39-year-old television personality left her daughter, Larose, to join the cast in Albania. During the trip, Ahmed became engaged to Joe Blackman, with Goodger present to offer support.

However, Goodger expressed frustration over Ahmed's behavior during the trip, telling The Sun: "Me and Junaid fell out. Junaid's under a lot of pressure, he got engaged. I was there supporting them 100 per cent. I just felt like he wasn't really there for me, as a friend, nowhere to be seen. He was on one, being a diva."

Goodger stated that she had consistently supported Ahmed and Blackman within the group, saying: "I've been Joe and Junaid's number one supporter from day one and had their backs, literally against all the rest of the cast, who don't particularly like them, I've always stuck up for them."

Following a severe argument, Goodger indicated that the friendship has effectively ended, adding: "I couldn't be around it. I was really upset. I didn't know where it was going to go, I left it on... the relationship is done. It was terrible. Really terrible."

Goodger explained that leaving her daughter to travel abroad made the disagreement particularly difficult, saying: "I didn't know if I was ever going to be alright with him again, because I was in such a vulnerable situation. I don't like going away, let alone without my daughter. It was a big step for me and I just felt like I didn't need to be shouted at."