‘The Only Way Is Essex’ bosses have axed seven cast members, including Amber Dowding and boyfriend Chris Clark.
‘TOWIE’ producers want to give the ITVBe reality show a fresh new look for the new year, leading to its biggest ever cast cull with Mike Hassini, Jack Rigden, Jordan Brook, Maddie Hooper and Ruby Lacey also reportedly given the boot.
An insider told The Sun newspaper: "’TOWIE’ is like a revolving door and producers are always on the lookout for new faces that can keep the show fresh.
"Chris and Amber have left the series as a couple who’ve just moved into an apartment together – and often being in a happy relationship doesn’t work for the show.
"Mike is also loved-up with a girlfriend off camera and has no real storylines to bring to the show but will continue to focus on his fitness and personal training.
"Producers thought Jack and Jordan were really funny and had great potential but they were lost against the bigger characters and unfortunately didn’t make the final cut.
"Maddie and Ruby only appeared in a few episodes last series and failed to resonate with viewers."
An official spokesperson for the show confirmed: "There are a number of cast who have mutually agreed their time on the show has come to a natural end for now.
"We wish them well and look forward to another exciting year ahead for ‘TOWIE’."
The Essex-based reality show is undergoing a big shake-up in 2018, going from two episodes a week to just one. But as a result, series will run for more weeks of the year.
Getting axed may delay Chris’s plans to propose to on-off girlfriend Amber, who he has been dating for two years.
Last October, he revealed he was planning to pop the question once he has, "earned some good money."
Chris told BANG Showbiz : "Not anytime soon don’t worry about that. I mean, we’re 23, 24, it will happen, we haven’t even moved out yet. I can’t get engaged to her living at home. There’s other steps first.
"It’s different for females and males. Girls grow up wanting the fairytale wedding, I know this is going to sound negative, but a wedding and engagement is just spending money. There’s people out there not married, not engaged and they’re stronger."
TOWIE’s Amber Dowding and Chris Clark ‘axed’ in big cast cull
