Exposed TOWIE: Directed Every Move, Micromanaged Extras — And the Shocking Truth Behind Those ‘Essex’ Scenes You’ll Never Believe

When devoted fans tune in to The Only Way Is Essex for this year’s Christmas special, they’ll see their favourite faces “accidentally” bumping into one another at a cosy festive market — or at least, that’s what they’re meant to believe.

Elma Pazar, Courtney Green, Amber Turner, Harry Derbidge and Chloe Meadows on the Christmas set of Towie

Given TOWIE’s status as a so-called reality programme, most assume these meetings happen naturally.
But after spending an entire day on set as an invited extra, I can tell you with complete certainty: there is barely any ‘reality’ left in TOWIE at all.

What I witnessed was far more orchestrated — and far more shocking — than viewers might imagine.

Livvy and Becks at the specially designed Towie film set at Lees Priory, a Tudor manor house just outside Chelmsford

Roman Hackett and Matilda Draper... the stars have spent hours getting professionally made-up — Roman Hackett and Matilda Draper… the stars have spent hours getting professionally made-up

The Christmas episode, set to air December 8, wasn’t filmed anywhere near Brentwood, the iconic Essex hotspot where much of the show’s early magic happened. Instead, the cast were driven out to Lees Priory, a Tudor manor house near Chelmsford, transformed within hours into a picture-perfect festive fairground.

The modern Towie is a far cry from the original premise of the show, of which Lauren Goodger was a founding cast member

Normally a wedding venue costing upwards of £15,000 to hire, the priory had been refashioned for filming: wooden stalls dripping with fairy lights, fake snow clinging to rooftops, and everything from mini pancakes to hot chocolate on offer — free for cast, crew and extras only.

Sammy Root, Dan Edgar, Diags, Roman Hackett on the Christmas set

Meanwhile, the TOWIE stars arrived in full glamour mode: immaculate hair, full-face makeup, glittering dresses, and chauffeur-driven cars. Brentwood High Street was nowhere in sight.

A Manufactured Winter Wonderland

The original TOWIE — raw, messy, unpredictable — once captured real twentysomethings navigating real friendships, breakups, and drama. Its early cast became overnight sensations because it felt unscripted.

But as I stood in the fake Christmas market, watching crew members position people like chess pieces, it was clear the show has shifted far from its roots.

Diags, the show’s longest-serving cast member, arrived first, strolling in arm-in-arm with his on-off girlfriend Jodie Wells. Castmates hugged, laughed, and caught up — all off-camera. But the second microphones were clipped on, the illusion began.

Producers instructed them precisely where to stand, which topics to discuss, and how long each conversation should last.
No official script — but every moment engineered.

Matilda Draper and Roman Hackett practiced lines under their breath, waiting for their cue. When the camera rolled, they joined the group with a rehearsed, “Fancy seeing you here!” — despite chatting privately moments earlier.

After a few minutes, the director yelled, “Stop! Again from the top,” and the group repeated the entire exchange.
What will appear as a seamless five-minute scene took over an hour to capture.

Extras Told How to Smile, Stand, Move

While cast members sipped rosé and nibbled Christmas treats between takes, we extras were ordered to “Mingle! Look natural! Don’t speak too loud! Bigger expressions!”

I was seated at a table, hot chocolate in hand, instructed to angle my face a certain way while pretending to laugh with strangers.

And although sets were decorated for December, nature wasn’t cooperating — bees swarmed the stalls repeatedly, sparking shrieks and causing numerous retakes.

Real Tensions, Real Tears — Cameras Roll

Despite the staged surroundings, actual emotion still surfaced.

Former couple Sammy Root and Elma Pazar stayed on opposite sides of the courtyard. Dan Edgar and Ella Rae Wise avoided eye contact after their summer split.

Then, drama struck: Ella suddenly began crying quietly off to the side.

Producer reaction? Immediate.

“Camera on her, now!” someone shouted.

Within seconds, a cameraman rushed in for a close-up.
Vulnerability = content.

After Hours of Filming…

Five hours later, the director wrapped the Christmas market scenes — but it wasn’t over.

A group photo was next. The photographer looked overwhelmed.

“I don’t know where to put half of you,” he muttered. “So many of you hate each other.”

So no, TOWIE today may no longer resemble the reality show that once captivated millions — but if my day on set proved anything, it’s this:

The drama might be staged… but it’s far from gone.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/