Mark Wright is reportedly not returning to The Only Way Is Essex for the show’s 10th anniversary as he’s ‘in a different part of his life now’.
The star, 33, was an original cast member on the hit show which started in 2010 and has spanned 25 series, alongside Amy Childs and ex-girlfriend Lauren Goodger.
However although several familiar faces have been lined up to appear on the special, Mark is said to have ‘moved on’ and not be planning a comeback reports The Sun.
‘Moved on’: Mark Wright is reportedly not returning to The Only Way Is Essex for the 10th anniversary as he’s ‘in a different part of his life now’ (pictured in November 2019)
A source told The Sun: ‘It’s a shame as Mark has clearly forgotten his roots. The show made him who he is and he wouldn’t have had all of his work gigs, like his radio show, without TOWIE putting him on the map.
‘He’s said he’s in a different part of his life now and doesn’t want to go back to Towie again.’
The source added that ITV ‘aren’t losing any sleep’ however as they’ve managed to secure ‘the real king of Essex, Joey Essex’ for the upcoming special.
MailOnline has contacted Mark’s representatives and ITV for a comment.
Throwback: The star, 33, was an original cast member on the hit show which started in 2010 and has spanned 25 series (pictured with Sam Faiers and Amy Childs in 2010)
Reunion? A source said that Mark had ‘moved on’ from the show and didn’t want to revisit the past (pictured on TOWIE with Joey Essex in 2011)
Mark and Lauren’s former tumultuous relationship captivated viewers when it played out on The Only Way Is Essex, starting back in 2010.
Mark – who also dated co-stars Lucy Mecklenburgh and Sam Faiers – faced claims that he cheated on Lauren throughout the first series before he proposed to her in a pub car park in the ITV show’s second run.
The pair split in August 2011 after a turbulent 11 years of dating, which saw them break up and reunite numerous times, and even saw them get engaged.
Way back when: Mark and Lauren Goodger’s former tumultuous relationship captivated viewers when it played out on The Only Way Is Essex, starting back in 2010 (pictured 2011)
Since leaving TOWIE, Mark has gone on to marry actress Michelle Keegan and start a presenting career with him appearing on Heart Radio throughout the week.
The reality star also recently kickstarted his fitness brand TrainWright and it seems that he intends to extend his and Michelle’s £7million empire even further.
It is thought that the TOWIE specials were planned to be similar to the show’s usual set-up, with the original stars making guest appearances.
However because of the coronavirus pandemic some changes have had to be made and now the show will reportedly have a slightly different format.
The boys: Other original cast members include Joey Essex, James Argent James Argent, Kirk Norcross and Harry Derbidge (pictured in promo shots in 2011)
Life now: Since leaving the show, Mark has married Michelle Keegan, started presenting a radio show and launched his own fitness business
Instead of filming scenes, it is believed that episodes will show some of the best TOWIE moments from the past 10 years with the cast commentating on them.
It was originally reported that for the new series TOWIE would return to its previous broadcast pattern by airing episodes on both Sundays and Wednesdays.
Along with giving fans to catch up on what stars such as Amber Turner, Chloe Sims and Olivia Attwood have been up to during the lockdown, there will also be surprise appearances from some of the show’s biggest stars from the past decade.
Speaking at the time, Paul Mortimer, Head of Digital Channels and Acquisitions for ITV, added: ‘After 10 years, TOWIE is still going strong and remains the number one show on ITVBe.
‘We’re thrilled to be welcoming back new and old faces for the upcoming mega-series as the show celebrates this special anniversary.’
Another star lined up for the show is Amy Childs, who recently appeared in a promo video for the special, revisiting some of her best lines.
The beauty is seen strutting around in the clip, showing off her curves in black swimwear before speaking from a hot tub.
Amy says: ‘TOWIE’s 10? Oh shut up! I’m ready for a party!’
Amy left TOWIE after being offered a rumoured £200,000 to appear on the relaunched Celebrity Big Brother.
Closed door: Another notable TOWIE original missing out on the reunion is Sam Faiers, who said is done with the reality show for good, despite netting an estimated £9 million fortune since her first appearance on the show (pictured 2019)
Another notable TOWIE original missing out on the reunion is Sam Faiers, who said is done with the reality show for good, despite netting an estimated £9 million fortune since her first appearance on the show.
The reality TV staple, 29, confirmed she will not appear on the ITVBe show’s ten-year reunion this year as she revealed she has moved into a different phase of her life.
Claim to fame: According to reports, the reality star, 29, made £9 million since joining the show in 2010 but she claims her priorities have changed (pictured with sister Billie in 2011)
Sam told The Sun: ‘I won’t be getting involved because, to be honest, it’s like I’m at a completely different stage in my life now.
‘I don’t even know what I would do on there any more.’
The blonde beauty was just 19 years old when the show first aired on 10 October 2010, and she admitted that she had nothing to lose at the time.
During her stint, Sam was an integral character, having a love triangle storyline with Lothario Mark and his on-off girlfriend of nine years, Lauren Goodger.
The reality star then went on to date Joey Essex after Mark announced his engagement to Lauren, and ended up becoming engaged herself to Joey, 30.
However it wasn’t meant to be and the pair split up on the show in 2013.
After leaving TOWIE a year later, Sam went on to find love with Paul Knightley.
Exciting: The Only Way Is Essex is set to return to screens this autumn with a host of classic stars to celebrate the show’s 10th Anniversary