THE Only Way Is Essex fans will receive a boost thanks to a schedule shake-up ahead of the impending channel move.
The long-running reality show launched in 2010 and moved to ITVBe in October 2014.
With ITVBe now closing, the programme is returning to its original home on ITV2 from Autumn 2025.
Ahead of the move, TOWIE will be reverting to airing twice a week.
It will see a new midweek episode joining the usual Sunday instalment.
This was the show’s original screening pattern but it reverted to one episode per week back in 2018.
A source said: “ITV want to make a big splash with the show returning to its original home on ITV2 with the closure of ITVBe.
“It’s one of their flagship shows and it’s still one of ITVX’s most streamed shows with 66 million streams in the last 12 months alone.
“Bosses think it’s high time the show was reinstated to airing twice a week, just like it did in its original heyday.
“It’s amazing news for fans who will be getting double their fix of drama, and the cast are thrilled too.
“It’s a huge vote of confidence in the show after all these years on air.”
Some of the show’s current stars include Junaid Ahmed, Joe Blackman and Ella Rae Wise.
In particular Ella, 24, appeared in this year’s series of Celebrity Big Brother.
Original cast members Lauren Goodger and Amy Childs returned in 2024 and 2020, respectively.
Earlier this year, it was revealed bosses were making ITV2 the home of reality TV, with all future series broadcasting from there.
TOWIE STARS SPIN OFF
WITH the announcement TOWIE will return in 2025 for two new series, it's good news for some former ITVBE stars, too
TWO of the show’s best loved former stars will celebrate their own big life moments with a spin off series featuring Tommy Mallet and Georgia Kousoulou.
Their new show title is currently unconfirmed.
The pair, who first met and found love on TOWIE back in 2014, finally say ‘I Do’ in a three part special produced by Objective Entertainment.
The show will follow on from the success of their Baby Steps series.
An insider said at the time: “ITV has seen incredible success and record breaking numbers of viewers on ITV2, so following that success they’ll be shutting ITVBe and moving Towie onto ITV2, which will now be the home of reality.
“ITVBe shuts in June, then the new series of Towie will debut on ITV2 in Autumn.”
The Sun revealed Sam and Billie Faiers are reuniting for a new series, which will focus on them and how they juggle their busy careers.
Originally expected to air on ITVBe, the sisters’ new series will also move to ITV2 now.
