TOWIE bosses ‘axe 10 cast members from show in biggest cull ever’ as producers confirm they want to focus on ‘smaller group’
- According to The Sun, producers informed several stars of the show on Wednesday that they would not be returning for the 29th series
- Show veteran Chloe Sims and her sisters Demi and Frankie along with Liam ‘Gatsby’ Blackwell all thought to have survived the cull
- A source said: ‘The bigger the cast, the less screen time each gets. They want to flip that round again and give less more’
- In a statement, bosses confirmed the stars leaving the programme will be giving support from the behind the scenes team should they need it
- They said: ‘Those who won’t appear regularly on-screen next series will always be part of the TOWIE family’
TOWIE bosses have reportedly axed at least 10 cast members as the show is having its biggest shake-up ever.
According to The Sun, producers informed several stars of the show on Wednesday that they would not be returning for the 29th series.
A statement released on the official TOWIE social media accounts confirmed the cull, saying they wanted the show to focus on a ‘smaller group’.
Big changes: TOWIE bosses have reportedly axed at least 10 cast members as the show is having its biggest shake-up ever (pictured L-R Georgia Kousoulou, Tommy Mallet, Demi Sims, James ‘Diags’ Bennewith, Chloe Sims, Liam Blackwell, Saffron Lempriere, Bobby Norris)
An insider said the move was down to bosses wanting to go ‘back to basics’ with show veteran Chloe Sims and her sisters Demi and Frankie along with Liam ‘Gatsby’ Blackwell all thought to have survived the cull.
A source said: ‘With an ever-growing cast of characters it was becoming hard to give the audience any real insight into the lives of those involved.
‘Producers want the show to go back to how it used to be at the start where the audience saw much more of each character’s backstory and what they get up to.
‘The bigger the cast, the less screen time each gets. They want to flip that round again and give less more.’
Change: A statement released on the official TOWIE social media accounts confirmed the cull, saying they wanted the show to focus on a ‘smaller group’
A statement read: ‘As it looks ahead to future series’ to come, the next instalment of our BAFTA award winning show returns to Essex to follow a smaller group of cast members’
The most recent series of the reality show had as many as 47 cast members in varying roles.
In a statement, bosses confirmed the stars leaving the programme will be giving support from the behind the scenes team should they need it.
They said: ‘After more than ten fabulous years following the lives of our ever-growing cast, TOWIE will be evolving with some changes.
‘As it looks ahead to future series’ to come, the next instalment of our BAFTA award winning show returns to Essex to follow a smaller group of cast members.
Staying put: Show veteran Chloe Sims and her sisters Demi and Frankie along with Liam ‘Gatsby’ Blackwell all thought to have survived the cull (Chloe, left, pictured with Demi, right)
‘This change allows our cast more time to film their real lives, showing more of their personal passions and professions, alongside their strong bonds and dynamics with family and friends.
‘Those who won’t appear regularly on-screen next series will always be part of the TOWIE family and we wholeheartedly thank them for sharing their lives with us in recent years.
‘As always, their wellbeing is of paramount importance to us and we will continue to offer welfare support if needed to all past and present TOWIE cast.
‘We ask and urge all our viewers to think before commenting below, and remember that #thesepeopleareallreal.
‘Thank you to our audience for your continued support. TOWIE will be back soon for it’s 29th series on ITVBe, stay tuned for further announcements.’
(pictured L-R Chloe Meadows, Amber Turner, Courtney Green and Clelia Theodorou in 2019)
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