As London has just gone into Tier 2 restrictions, fans have begun to wonder how far in advance TOWIE series 26 was filmed.
While this series has not been short of drama, gossip and Diag’s 30-by-30 bucket list, the question is whether that has all been forced to stop in its tracks due to the London lockdown restrictions.
So when was TOWIE series 26 filmed? What about the big finale? Here’s the lowdown on the ITV series and whether it’s been affected by the Covid-19 restrictions!
How far in advance was TOWIE series 26 filmed?
- Each episode is filmed almost a month before it airs
Judging by reports that filming for the series 26 finale started taking place around Friday October 16th, it looks like ITV get the cameras out almost a month before each episode. This is different to its former series, which reportedly used to involve filming just a few days before an episode is aired!
As the finale is due to be aired on November 11 (episode 18), it appears that filming is being carried out while earlier episodes are appearing on our screens.
So it looks like the filming for TOWIE series 26 is now complete – but did they have to rush filming due to the Covid-19 restrictions?
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Fans react to Tier 2 restrictions and TOWIE
When it was announced that London and Essex would be enter Tier 2 lockdown restrictions on Friday October 16th, some fans were worried about what this would mean for TOWIE filming.
When the BBC reported that it is thought Essex is the only local authority in England to have requested tighter coronavirus restrictions, a Twitter user responded: “They wanted to disrupt the filming of TOWIE. It was a long shot, but worth a try.”
While fans of the show were quick to respond… One viewer said: “Please don’t let #Essex go into Tier 2 lock down, what will happen about the TOWIE filming? BoJo No!”
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How have the Covid-19 restrictions affected TOWIE?
While a few couples on the show – such as Lockie and Yazmin Oukhellou – have been allowed to go within the 2-metre rule as part of each other’s social bubble, some haven’t been able to.
Bobby Norris had a surprise party thrown for him, however everyone had to keep their distance from each other.
While Ella Rae Wise and Tom McDonnell, who have been seen going on several dates on series 26, haven’t been able to share a kiss or hug yet!
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