The Only Way Is Essex star Junaid Ahmed has appeared to confirm that the show is filming a Christmas special again this year.
The reality TV show’s festive episode is traditionally a much-loved part of the Christmas viewing schedule but it was axed after the 2021 special, with whisperings about budget issues being behind the decision. However, excitement started ramping up this year with rumours about The Only Way Is Essexmas returning after its break.
And it’s now looking as if it’s got the green light, according to an update from Junaid. He let it slip on Instagram as he was sharing a work update, and it’s definitely sounding good.
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The star, who has been a cast member since 2022, posted a snap of him in a car as he told his followers: “Back to reality. Towie Christmas special meetings.” He added a Christmas tree emoji to his post.
(Image: Instagram/ @junaidahmedx)
If the special is back on ITVBe when December rolls around, fans can be expecting some good TV as the Christmas episode often includes some serious drama. Plus there will an extra big helping of sparkly fun on offer as it’s thought the special will be longer than usual.
TOWIE episodes usually run to 45 minutes long. But the planned Yuletide instalment will be a bumper 90 minutes this year, The Sun has previously said. “It’s a movie length episode and fans can expect some real festive fun, romance and probably a few feuds,” a source said.
(Image: ITV)
The special Christmas episode was first dropped in 2022, and The Sun quoted an insider as saying that the cast members were “floored” to hear that it had been scrapped. “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,” the source said at the time.
(Image: Lime Pictures)
Other cast members have hinted they would like to see the episode return in the future, with Jodie Wells among those to speak out. The star – who became a cast member on TOWIE in 2023 – was recently quizzed about it in an Instagram Q&A and teased that she thought a Christmas special “would be amazing”.
Daily Star has contacted ITV for comment.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
