The producers of ‘The Only Way is Essex’ have trademarked the cast’s signature catchphrases.
Lime Pictures is acquiring full rights to what is said on the hit ITV2 reality show, which means stars including Sam Faiers and Gemma Collins will need to pay the production company a share of profits from entrepreneurial efforts utilising their favourite phrases.
‘TOWIE’ has spawned lots of popular sayings such as ‘reem’, ‘well jel’ and ‘vajazzle’.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "The cast of ‘TOWIE’ are a canny bunch and they know that when they coin a marketable catchphrase that they can really make some money out of it."
Among the stars affected will be former cast member Joey Essex and his Fusey fashion brand.
The insider added: "Joey created a shop from his range and sells T-shirts, fragrances and hair products named after phrases he coined on the show. The producers already take 15 per cent of the cast’s earnings, but this would mean even their company’s earnings would be eligible – even after they leave the show."
However, it’s thought ‘TOWIE’ catchphrases may not be as popular as they once were as cast members attempt to emulate the success of words like ‘reem’.
The source claimed: "Since the odder words, like Joey’s ‘reem’, took off in popularity, a lot of the cast seem to have been using more of their own distinctive words. The potential income could be considerably less lucrative from now on."
A spokesperson for Lime Pictures commented: "Lime Pictures will always endeavour to protect the ‘TOWIE’ brand."
TOWIE producers nab catchphrase rights
