Current cast of The Only Way Is Essex: Who is still filming for Series 36?
The cast of The Only Way Is Essex returned to filming for the 36th series on 17 August 2025, marking 15 years on screen. While the show’s longevity has remained remarkable, co-creator Ruth Wrigley once said:
I had no idea it was going to go for 10 years, but I think part of that is the authenticity – it keeps going and keeps evolving.
Source: Getty Images
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Key takeaways
- The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) is a British reality series showcasing the Essex lifestyle and drama.
- It premiered in 2010, quickly becoming iconic and marking its 15th anniversary with Series 36.
- The TOWIE cast for series 36 blends original cast members like Amy Childs and Lauren Goodger with newer faces like Ella Rae Wise and Jordan Brook.
Current cast of The Only Way Is Essex
The show returned to ITV2 for its 15th anniversary, filming in Portugal from 17 August to 22 September 2025. Rebecca Kenny-Smith, TOWIE’s creative director, told the Daily Mail:
This is TOWIE’s first trip to Portugal...We’re anticipating lots of TOWIE antics in the Algarve, and what better way to celebrate the milestone 15th anniversary.
The TOWIE characters included both long-standing favourites and new additions, as listed below:
Lauren Goodger
Source: Getty Images
Full name | Lauren Rose Goodger |
Date of birth | 19 September 1986 |
Age | 39 years old (as of 2026) |
Place of birth | Bethnal Green, London, United Kingdom |
Social media |
First appearing in 2010’s debut series, Lauren Goodger became iconic through her relationship with Mark Wright. She returned in Series 36 as a mother, reconnecting audiences during the show’s 15th anniversary, telling Closer Online:
Everyone [working on TOWIE] has been lovely... I’ve loved filming again and enjoyed every minute of it.
Harry Derbidge
Source: Getty Images
Full name | Harry Eric Derbidge |
Date of birth | April 1994 |
Age | 31 years old (as of 2026) |
Place of birth | Barking, United Kingdom |
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Harry joined in Series 1 as Amy Childs’ cousin, known for his humour and flamboyant style. His return adds nostalgia while reigniting old Essex friendships.
James “Diags” Bennewith
Full name | James Lawrence Bennewith |
Date of birth | 12 May 1991 |
Age | 34 years old (as of 2026) |
Place of birth | London Borough of Waltham Forest, United Kingdom |
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Since Series 4 (2012), Diags has been the longest‑serving cast member of TOWIE. His loyalty and quick wit have kept him central to the show’s drama and humour.
Dan Edgar
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Full name | Daniel Edgar |
Date of birth | 12 May 1990 |
Age | 36 years old (as of 2026) |
Place of birth | Thurrock, United Kingdom |
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Introduced in Series 14 (2015), Dan quickly became a heart‑throb of Essex. His turbulent on-and-off romance with Amber Turner remains one of the show’s defining arcs.
Amber Turner
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Full name | Amber Turner |
Date of birth | 20 July 1993 |
Age | 32 years old (as of 2026) |
Place of birth | Essex, England |
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Amber joined TOWIE in Series 20 (2017) and quickly became known for her outspoken personality. The relationship between Amber Turner and Dan Edgar has dominated headlines throughout her eight years on the show.
Ella Rae Wise
Source: Getty Images
Full name | Ella Rae Wise |
Date of birth | 12 July 2000 |
Age | 25 years old (as of 2026) |
Place of birth | London Borough of Havering, United Kingdom |
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Scouted via Instagram in 2019, Ella entered Series 24 as part of the younger cast. Her feud with other TOWIE girls, including Amber Turner, has cemented her reputation as a drama magnet.
Jordan Brook
Source: Instagram
Full name | Jordan Brook |
Date of birth | November 25, 1995 |
Age | 30 years old (as of 2026) |
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Jordan’s romance with Sophie Kasaei brought cross‑show attention, blending Geordie Shore and Essex audiences. His return also reignited tensions with Ella Rae Wise, dating back to their clash in 2022.
Courtney Green
Source: Instagram
Full name | Courtney Green |
Date of birth | 29 June 1995 |
Age | 30 years old (as of 2026) |
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Debuting in Series 17 (2016) alongside Chloe Meadows, Courtney brought inseparable friendship energy. Her romances and loyalty continue to shape her Essex journey.
Becks Bloomberg
Source: Instagram
Full name | Becks Bloomberg |
Date of birth | 1994 |
Age | 31 years old (as of 2026) |
Social media |
Becks joined the show as a beauty entrepreneur with a sharp eye for Essex nightlife. Her confidence quickly stirred tensions with other newcomers, and she summed up the vibe on Instagram with the caption:
Series 36, let’s go.
Amy Childs
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Full name | Amy Andrea Childs |
Date of birth | 7 June 1990 |
Age | 35 years old (as of 2026) |
Place of birth | Barking, United Kingdom |
Social media |
An original star from Series 1, Amy helped define Essex glamour before leaving in 2011. Back since 2020 with partner Billy Delbosq, she shares her journey as a mother of twins.
Junaid Ahmed
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Full name | Junaid Ahmed |
Date of birth | 18 December 1994 |
Age | 31 years old (as of 2026) |
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Junaid became prominent through explosive fallouts with former friend Dani Imbert. Outside the show, he works in fashion PR and told Scene Mag:
I’m definitely the firecracker TOWIE needed, never one to shy away and always involved in all the drama.
Dani Imbert
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Full name | Dani Kara Imbert |
Date of birth | 3 April 1998 |
Age | 27 years old (as of 2026) |
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Dani entered Series 29, where she was linked romantically with Gatsby Blackwell. The 27‑year‑old’s bubbly personality and relationship drama make her a key younger cast member.
Saffron Lempriere
Source: Getty Images
Full name | Saffron Lempriere |
Date of birth | 3 June 1992 |
Age | 33 years old (as of 2026) |
Place of birth | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, United Kingdom |
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Saffron is known for her sharp tongue and loyalty, often defending close friend Gemma Collins. She has been one of the well‑known female TOWIE stars since joining in 2018.
Wills Childs
Source: Instagram
Full name | Wills Childs |
Date of birth | 1988 |
Age | 38 years old (as of 2026) |
As Amy Childs’ brother, Wills entered Series 36 with strong family ties to the show. His cheeky personality and protective bond with Amy have already created memorable sibling moments.
Livvy Jay
Source: Getty Images
Full name | Livvy Jay |
Date of birth | May 2, 1997 |
Age | 28 years old (as of 2026) |
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Introduced in Series 35, Livvy stirred drama with her outspoken nature and bold fashion choices. The newcomer also runs her own brand, Lashes by Livvy, along with a lash‑tech training academy.
Billy Delbosq
Source: Instagram
Full name | Billy Delbosq |
Date of birth | April 1983 |
Age | 42 years old (as of 2026) |
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Billy joined alongside partner Amy Childs, with their relationship and parenting of twins becoming a major storyline. He also runs a successful gym business, as reported by The Tab.
Freddie Bentley
Source: Getty Images
Full name | Freddie Bentley |
Date of birth | October 14, 1998 |
Age | 27 years old (as of 2026) |
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Known from The Circle, Freddie brought reality TV experience when he joined TOWIE in Series 35. His flamboyant style and sharp wit add a new dynamic.
Joe Blackman
Source: Getty Images
Full name | Joe Blackman |
Date of birth | November 14, 1989 |
Age | 36 years old (as of 2026) |
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Blackman arrived in Series 35 and quickly linked romantically with Livvy Jay. His charm and Essex swagger make him one to watch.
Sophie Kasaei
Source: Getty Images
Full name | Sophie Kasaei |
Date of birth | 8 November 1989 |
Age | 36 years old (as of 2026) |
Place of birth | South Shields, United Kingdom |
Social media |
Crossing over from Geordie Shore, Sophie added northern spice to Essex drama. She told The Sun how it felt to be part of the 2025 TOWIE cast:
[It's] very tame compared to what I’ve witnessed in my 15 years on reality TV.
Jodie Wells
Source: Instagram
Full name | Jodie Wells |
Year of birth | 1991 or 1992 |
Age | 34-35 years old (as of 2026) |
Social media |
Jodie’s glamorous style and outspoken nature quickly caught attention in Series 36. She has been linked romantically to Diags, whom she first met when she appeared in Series 32.
Elma Pazar
Source: Getty Images
Full name | Elmaziye Pazar |
Date of birth | 7 July 1992 |
Age | 32 years old (as of 2026) |
Place of birth | Hackney, London, United Kingdom |
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The 2019 Love Island star first joined the cast of TOWIE in Series 30. She returned in Series 36, where she built new friendships, most notably with Amber Turner.
Who has left TOWIE cast?
The latest cast members leaving the show are Chloe Brockett, Chloe Sims, Frankie and Demi Sims, and Pete Wicks. Essex Live reported the departures of Roman Hackett, his girlfriend Matilda Draper, and Love Island star Sammy Root.
Frequently asked questions
- Is TOWIE real or scripted? It is a structured reality show where the cast are real people having real conversations, but storylines are guided by producers.
- Who is the richest person on TOWIE? Mark Wright is considered the richest to have appeared, with a net worth of £15 million, according to The Mirror.
- How much does The Only Way Is Essex cast get paid? Its cast members earn between £90 and £450 per day, with longer-serving stars earning more.
- What does Dan Edgar do for a living? He is an actor and reality TV personality who previously worked as an electrician.
Conclusion
The cast of The Only Way Is Essex, which filmed and starred in Series 36, included long‑standing favourites alongside fresh newcomers. The season gave fans drama and nostalgia, airing from 17 August to 22 September 2025.
READ MORE: Tommy Mallet's net worth: Is he still one of the richest TOWIE stars after losing $4 million?
As Briefly.co.za published, Tommy Mallet is a former TOWIE star and co-founder of Mallet London. His footwear brand, co-founded with Evren Ozka, reached a £17.5 million turnover by January 2023 before their partnership ended.
In 2021, the former reality star and his wife, Georgia Kousoulou, bought a £1 million Essex home. In 2024, he reportedly sold personal and business assets, incurring losses of up to £25 million, following a legal dispute with Evren Ozka.
Source: Briefly News
