As the 12th series of Towie returns, Keeley Bolger takes a look at the reality show

IT was an unpromising start. A bunch of mouthy, unknown 17 to 30-year-olds from Essex being filmed gossiping, bickering and occasionally making-up for a weekly “stage-managed” reality TV series.

But four years on and The Only Way Is Essex (aka Towie) has made stars out of its cast. The “scripted reality” formula (whereby all the people featured are real, but the scenes are structured by the show’s producers) is so successful that the team scooped the 2011 Audience Award Bafta win from established favourites Downton Abbey, BBC’s Sherlock, thriller The Killing, Channel 4 documentary series My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and gentle comedy Miranda.

Several series down the line, with plenty of break-ups, make-ups, exits and new faces along the way, and the show still holds our interest.

It’s now in its 12th run, with a 13th series scheduled for later this year.

When the series launched, some members of Essex County Council admitted that it was “disappointing” only certain aspects of the county were represented, namely partying and excess. Now, four years on, there are regular tours around the Towie “set”, bringing heaps of visitors to places such as Minnie’s Boutique and the Sugar Hut Village nightclub in Brentwood.

The Towie lot love abbreviating. After all, with all that drama going on, they can’t waste precious milliseconds saying a word in full, can they? So thanks to them, “well jel” (really jealous) and, of course, “totes amaze” (totally amazing) have all entered our language.

The last series ended with Mark Wright’s big sister Jessica and her boyfriend Ricky throwing a princes and princesses themed party.

Ex-cast member Lydia Bright made a surprise appearance at the party, leaving her ex Arg embarrassed that he’d come dressed as Will Smith’s character from Nineties teen classic The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.

Meanwhile, model Chloe Sims announced that her friendship with DJ Lauren Pope was over after falling out over ladies’ man Mario Falcone, who they’ve both had romantic dalliances with.

To start the new series with a bang, the cast have flown out to Marbella, southern Spain, or as they call it, “Marbs”. When they’re not filming, the stars of the show have been busy snapping selfies in their beachwear, lounging around on yachts and taking to the mic for the start of Spanish party season.

Big characters in this series are likeable long-time Towie member James “Arg” Argent, pregnant shop-owner Billie Faiers, upfront former car saleswoman Gemma Collins and her straight-talking best pal Bobby Norris.

Also expect to see the return of Ricky, Jess, her mum Carol and grandma Nanny Pat, as well as Lydia, Lauren and Chloe among the familiar faces.

Lauren and Chloe come face-to-face for the first time since falling out over Mario. Chloe, the sister of Charlie, and DJ Lauren’s friendship suffered when Lauren found out that Chloe kissed ladies’ man Mario, who she had a fling with in Vegas.

There are three new members to join the Towie line-up this series; Vas Morgan, Robyn Althasen and Imogen Leaver. ITV are remaining tight-lipped about the newbies but it’s known that Vas is a celebrity blogger, Imogen is a former Britain And Ireland’s Next Top Model finalist and Robyn is her best friend.

The makers of the ITV2 series promise that there will be love aplenty as on-off couple Charlie and Ferne get their romance back on track after a “rocky couple of months”.

Billie, expecting her first baby with her fiance Greg Shepherd, had a pink-themed baby shower last month and the baby – the first from the Towie bunch – is expected to arrive in June.

  • The Only Way Is Essex starts on ITV2