TOWIE 10th anniversary reunion line-up… who’s in and who’s out for TV special

It might seem hard to believe, but this time 10 years ago, a vajazzle was all but unheard of and the only people who knew about Gemma Collins’ ‘candy’ were her lovers.

But 10 years of tans and tantrums have turned TOWIE into one of the UK’s most successful reality shows ever. So what better way to celebrate than with a reunion?

Airing on Sunday, the TV special TOWIE Turns 10: All Back To Essex will see some of the show’s biggest stars reunited – no doubt in explosive fashion.

The gang have already been spotted filming scenes at a Spanish-themed garden party on August 25, letting the cat out of the bag as to who has been asked to make a return. So ahead of the show, Mirror Online reveals who’s in and who’s out…

Lucy Mecklenburgh

She famously caused waves by dating Mark Wright after his volatile split from Lauren Goodger in series one before branching out as a fitness guru.

Now 29, Lucy has her hands full after welcoming son Roman with fiancé Ryan Thomas in March.

And sadly she’s ruled herself out of for a comeback, with a source telling The Sun she’s just way ‘too busy’.

“She has so much going on at the moment,” the insider said,

“Between being a new parent and her business, there is barely any time she could put aside to be on the show.

“She tried to make it work but when everything was taken into account, something had to give. It’s sad but not really surprising.”

Sam Faiers

Another ex of Mark Wright, the show helped Sam, 29, earn nearly £10million thanks to book deals, a TV series, a clothing line and her own perfume brand.

But despite being one of TOWIE’s biggest ever earners, she too will shun the reunion.

“I won’t be getting involved – to be honest, I’m at a completely different stage in my life now,” she told the Sun on Sunday.

“I don’t even know what I would do on there any more.

“I’ve got my own life with my kids. TOWIE is ten years ago for me. You just can’t compare my life then to my life now.”

Sam now stars alongside her sister and fellow former TOWIE star Billie in their own ITVBe reality series Mummy Diaries, and has no regrets.

She added: “Being on The Only Way Is Essex was my first big thing I’d ever done and it was so successful and so great but if someone had told me when I was 19 that ten years later I’d be ­living the life I am now.”

Ferne McCann

Ferne, 30, quit the show in 2016 before having daughter Sunday with ex Arthur Collins, who is now serving 20 years in jail for a nightclub acid attack.

The star lives in a cosy Essex farmhouse with her little girl and stars in her own ITV series, First Time Mum.

But despite her continued affiliation with the broadcaster, she recently told heat magazine that a return to TOWIE is unlikely.

“I wouldn’t be sat here if it wasn’t for that show and I’ve got a lot of fond, fun memories when I look back; but I feel like that chapter of my life’s done,” she said.

“I’ve come out of my shell. I was in my early twenties and quite shamelessly wanting to be famous. I was so excited for the opportunity and went for it, all guns blazing.

“It’s been nearly a decade. I’ve had a baby and I’m a different woman now.”

Mark Wright

TOWIE OG Mark is said to have been the brains behind the whole reunion concept, with sources claiming he’d even snubbed ex-girlfriend Lauren Goodger from the TV special.

But now it turns out the 33-year-old radio presenter – who is married to actress Michelle Keegan – isn’t even taking part himself.

“He’s said he’s in a different part of his life now and doesn’t want to go back to TOWIE again,” a source told The Sun.

Kirk Norcross

Kirk, 32, walked away at the end of three series after his time in the spotlight left him struggling from severe anxiety and depression.

The former Sugar Hut staffer, who is dad to daughter Violett and son Harry, turned his back on fame to ‘earn a living through hard work’ as a manual laborour.

He now runs KN Jet Services in Essex and turned down an invitation to return to the show because ‘that life is behind him’.

“ITV are gutted because they really wanted Krik to take part but, in the end, he decided he wanted no part in it,” a source said.

“When the idea first came up Kirk was up for it. But, over time, he’s changed his mind. He’s had time to think about what going back might mean and he doesn’t want to go there… He’s only looking forward.”

Joey Essex

While some of the others haven’t been so keen on making a comeback, Joey, 30, confirmed he’s in when he shared a video of himself on set with BFF James ‘Diags’ Bennewith.

And in a video of Diags’ Instagram story he could be heard shouting, “BOSH. I’m back baby,” bringing joy to his fan’s hearts.

Making it crystal clear that he’s back on board, Joey continued: “Ten year anniversary. I’m coming back for the series.”

James ‘Arg’ Argent

Arg’s TOWIE journey has been a rocky one, but he’s as much a part of the show as the Sugar Hut.

And the 32 year old knows it.

“I don’t feel like you can have one unless I’m in it, right?” he said of the reunion.

However, while a one-off appearance could be in the works, Gemma Collins’ ex insisted he’ll never be back for good.

“I’m proud to say I was on it from day one, and I feel like it’s my baby, but in terms of coming back and being a full time cast member, I think that chapter in my life has closed,” he added.

Amy Childs

She wasn’t in it for long, but the memories live on!

Amy quit TOWIE in 2011 after ITV reportedly banned her from appearing on CelebrityBig Brother.

She welcomed daughter Polly in 2017 and son Rich in 2018 with her businessman ex Ritchie, and has spent the last few years raising her brook.

But the time has come for Amy to return to the show that made her a star – sadly there will be no vajazzling though.

“It is me having a laugh again. I feel like I am enjoying work again,” she said of her comeback.

“I felt like I really needed this to get my confidence back. I was focusing on my kids and my business and I needed this to focus on myself again, so that definitely means seeing me more on TV.”

Lauren Goodger

There’s still no definite word on Lauren, who is said to have been Kate Middleton’s favourite character.

But according to new magazine, she’s been desperate for an invite and was gutted when she heard the claims Mark was blocking her return.

“Lauren would be heartbroken if she wasn’t on the TOWIE reunion,” our insider said. “She was one of the original cast members and gave her whole life to that show.

“Lauren’s time on the show wasn’t just about Mark – she went through other things on there which she spoke about.

“She would feel like the outcast and it would really affect her. She wouldn’t even be able to watch it.”

Jessica Wright

Her brother Mark might be giving it a wide berth, but Jess isn’t.

Last year she told CelebsNow that she’s ‘never say never’, explaining: “I just think it depends what the circumstances were but TOWIE was such a big part of my life and I had so much fun when I was on it.”

And according to The Sun, she’s since signed on the dotted line.

Lydia Bright

Arg’s long-suffering ex gave birth to daughter Loretta at the end of February and is ‘trying to make a go of things’ with baby daddy Lee Cronin.

The Essex native was left devastated when Lee dumped her 11-weeks into her pregnancy after the pair had planned to create a family together.

However, it appears she’s on for the reunion with the star posting a picture of herself dressed to the nines by the TOWIE anniversary sign.

She wrote: “Celebrating 10 years. Who’s excited? One week to go.”

* TOWIE Turns 10: All Back to Essex airs Sunday, September 6 at 10:05pm on ITVBe