The Only Way is Essex fans are in panic mode thanks to the suggestion that the long-running reality series has been cancelled.
News that the filming had been pulled for series 26 hit the headlines this week, all down to the spread of coronavirus and the travel restrictions in place.
So, what’s actually happened with the virus and TOWIE’s filming schedule? Has TOWIE 2020 been cancelled?
The Only Way Is Essex: SR25: Ep10 on ITVBe
Pictured: Yaz and Georgia.
Coronavirus and The Only Way is Essex
The coronavirus crisis has hit every continent and has rapidly racked up numbers of those infected.
The pandemic has affected the production of many TV series and movies, shutting down filming sets for a few months now. Meanwhile, travel restrictions are still in place, as are quarantines for those travelling from country to country.
As has been the way for the TOWIE filming schedule, the first episodes of the spring series are always filmed abroad. Last year saw the stars head to Thailand and this year, they were set for Tenerife.
However, ITV previously made the decision not to go ahead with filming before the lockdown period started in the UK.
A spokesperson told The Sun: “The last thing anyone would want is for them to be in danger and they’re following travel advice when filming.”
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Has TOWIE 2020 been cancelled?
No. Fans of the long-standing reality series will be happy to hear that TOWIE has not cancelled its 2020 series.
The show will be back later this autumn to celebrate a milestone – its 10-year anniversary series! An air date is yet to be confirmed.
Similar to other shows, bosses of TOWIE are taking the utmost precautions when it comes to safety, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Little information has been revealed about the filming of season 26, however, it’s good news that ITV didn’t pull out the series this year.
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What happens next for TOWIE 2020?
Although TOWIE 2020 has not been cancelled, filming for the series remains up in the air.
As only a few episodes are filmed abroad, it would be a logical step for the producers to ditch this segment and film TOWIE in Essex as usual. But a spokesperson told MailOnline: “No decisions have been made on filming locations for the next series.”
This might mean that they are still contemplating filming abroad.
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