Huge reality show lands movie-length Christmas special after it was axed two years ago
REALITY fans are in for a treat this Christmas – as a big festive special is on the way.
Two years after the popular December one-off was axed, it is returning for a movie-length instalment.
The Sun can exclusively reveal that The Only Way Is Essex will be making a festive comeback, packed with “romance” and “drama”.
The bumper Only Way Is Essexmas episode will air for 90 minutes and feature the main cast.
A source said: “The latest series of Towie has been a huge hit and there has been a lot of drama.
“It made sense to bring back the Christmas special.
“It’s a movie length episode and fans can expect some real festive fun, romance and probably a few feuds.”
The last Towie Christmas special aired in 2021. The following year, it was announced The Only Way Is Essexmas would not be returning.
It had previously aired for 11 out of 12 years, only taking a break in 2018.
But in October 2022, “budget” was blamed for the axing.
A show insider said at the time: “The cast were floored by the news as Towie’s Christmas specials are something of a tradition, so none of them were expecting to not be filming this time around.
“They were all told that the scheduling didn’t work out and the budget is being spent on other things, but it’s left them all feeling really nervous about the future for the show.
“It’s not a good sign for the series in general if bosses have decided it doesn’t make financial sense to film the celebratory one-off.”
Earlier this month, one Towie star hinted about the festive instalment making a return this Christmas.
In a Q&A with fans, Jodie Wells was asked if there were any plans for a comeback.
She teased: “With how the series ended I feel a Christmas special would be amazing.”
This year there would be plenty to talk about over pigs in blankets, Christmas pudding and booze, too.
The current series of the ITVBe show is gearing up to an explosive finale amid Harry Derbidge’s love triangle with his fiancé Joe Blackman and Junaid Ahmed.
In an exclusive first look at Sunday night’s episode, Harry is left in tears after learning his ex and his former pal have taken their relationship to the next level.
Junaid tells him: “We’re sleeping together and we’re just going with the flow.
“I’ve not done this to spite you in any way. I don’t know what the future holds. I’ve gone with my heart, H. I don’t know what’s going to happen next.”
Wiping away tears, Harry replies: “You clearly don’t care. You were my best friend. You know how f****** much I loved him.”
The Sun revealed in August that Harry and Joe had split just weeks after revealing they’d spoken about getting married.
Days later, we told how Joe and Junaid had struck up a secret romance.