The Only Way Is Essex (series 1)

The Only Way Is Essex (series 1)
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of episodes	10 + Christmas special
Release
Original network	ITV2
Original release	10 October – 10 November 2010 Christmas Special: 24 December 2010

The first series of The Only Way Is Essex, a British semi-reality television programme, began airing on 10 October 2010 on ITV2. The series concluded on 10 November 2010 after 10 episodes. A Christmas special aired on 24 December 2010 and is included on the Series 1 DVD.

Storylines

Series 1 of The Only Way Is Essex introduces us to the main characters: club promoter Mark Wright, his best friend and club singer James "Arg" Argent, his sister and girl band member Jess Wright, his on/off love Lauren Goodger, club owner Kirk Norcross, Kirk's girlfriend and beautician Amy Childs, Amy's best friend and glamour model Sam Faiers, and Amy's cousin Harry Derbidge.

The two central relationships between Mark and Lauren and Kirk and Amy were at the heart of this first series. Kirk and Amy's love started off strong but she was jealous of his job and his flirting with other girls and called it off. Kirk later begins a relationship with DJ Lauren Pope much to Amy's chagrin and she and Sam try to find love elsewhere. Mark and Lauren have been on/off since they were teenagers and at the start of the programme they are separated with Mark in a relationship with fashion designer Lucy. However it transpires that Lauren and Mark have secretly been sleeping together behind Lucy's back. When Lauren gets an offer to travel to Dubai on work she is unsure whether to leave Mark or not. It also transpires that Mark and Sam may have had a sexual relationship at some point during Mark's time with Lauren. Elsewhere Arg and his ex-girlfriend Lydia decide to give things another go despite her jealousy of Arg's relationship with Mark. And girl band Lola, which include Mark's sister Jessica, are signed by a record company and start to work on a debut single. Mark opens a club on Halloween however it is burned down soon after and is never talked about again. The climax of the first series is a charity boxing match between Mark and Kirk which Mark wins. During the match Lauren and Lucy have a confrontation where Lucy tells Lauren she knows about her and Mark going behind her back and is disgusted by the whole thing. Mark tries to reassure Lucy about their stability of their relationship but when Lauren reveals she is going to Dubai, Mark tries to stop her.

In the Christmas Special, Mark and Lucy are still together but he dumps her and also tells Lauren that things are off between the two of them before going off in a car with Sam. Also in the Christmas Special Arg buys Lydia a pot-bellied pig named Mr. Darcy who appears throughout the programme's second series.

Cast

• Amy Childs
• Billie Faiers
• Candy Jacobs
• Harry Derbidge
• James "Arg" Argent
• Jess Wright
• Kirk Norcross
• Lauren Goodger
• Lauren Pope
• Lucy Mecklenburgh
• Lydia Rose Bright
• Maria Fowler
• Mark Wright
• Michael Woods
• Patricia "Nanny Pat" Brooker
• Sam Faiers

Episodes

Series No.	Season No.	Title	Original airdate	Duration	UK viewers
1	1	"Episode 1"	10 October 2010	60 minutes[1]	1.144[2][3]
Reality series following a group of people in Essex, including a club promoter, a would-be model, a member of a girl band and two bar workers. With each episode filmed just a few days before transmission, they will find out exactly what other people in the show are saying about them as well as discovering secrets that will affect their lives.[4]
2	2	"Episode 2"	13 October 2010	30 minutes	0.781[5]
The fallout from Lauren's party is revealed, Kirk's quest to win the heart of wannabe model Amy continues and club promoter Mark hosts a speed-dating event.[6]
3	3	"Episode 3"	17 October 2010	30 minutes	0.896[5][7]
Kirk hopes his plan to woo Amy will pay off, while girl group Lola pursue their dream of becoming the next Girls Aloud.[8]
4	4	"Episode 4"	20 October 2010	30 minutes	0.679[9]
Kirk hopes his date with Amy will seal their romance, Mark tries to cope with temptation and jealousy, and Lauren strives for independence.[10]
5	5	"Episode 5"	24 October 2010	30 minutes	0.810[9][11]
Lauren tries to get over Mark by indulging in some serious dating, and preparations get underway for Essex Fashion Week. Arg is heartbroken when his ex-girlfriend Lydia tells him there's no future for them.[12]
6	6	"Episode 6"	27 October 2010	30 minutes	0.954[13]
The county hosts its Fashion Week, with Sam, Amy and Jessica striving to claim the title of the most glamorous girl in Essex.[14]
7	7	"Episode 7"	31 October 2010	30 minutes	1.015[13][15]
It is VIP night at the opening of Mark's new club, and he hopes everything will go smoothly.[16]
8	8	"Episode 8"	3 November 2010	30 minutes	0.835[17][18]
Mark deals with the aftermath of the VIP night at his club. Plus, a chance to find out what is going on with Amy, Sam, Kirk and Jessica.[19]
9	9	"Episode 9"	7 November 2010	30 minutes	1.009[18][20]
The gang celebrates Bonfire Night. Sam and Amy plan to add some glamour to the event, Harry dresses up for the occasion and Mark tries to ensure that his evening goes with a bang.[21][22]
10	10	"Episode 10"	10 November 2010	60 minutes	0.975[23][24]
Mark's boxing event takes place in Romford and he throws down the gauntlet to Kirk. Lauren and Lucy clash over Mark. Last in the series.[25][26]

Christmas Special (2010)

Series No.	Season No.	Title	Original airdate	Duration	UK viewers
11	1	"The Only Way Is EsseXmas"	24 December 2010	60 minutes	0.973[27]
Christmas special. Mark splits up with Lucy and tells Lauren he's not ready to be with her, before leaving a Christmas party in a taxi with Sam.[28]

Ratings

Episode	Date	Official ITV2 rating[29] (millions)	ITV2 weekly rank[29]	Official ITV2+1 rating[29] (millions)	Total ITV2 viewers (millions)
Episode 1	10 October	0.988	6	0.156	1.144
Episode 2	13 October	0.590	8	0.191	0.972
Episode 3	17 October	0.729	6	0.167	0.896
Episode 4	20 October	Under 0.570	Outside top 10	Under 0.58	N/A
Episode 5	24 October	0.675	8	Under 0.58	0.675
Episode 6	27 October	0.697	8	0.257	0.954
Episode 7	31 October	0.814	6	0.201	1.015
Episode 8	3 November	0.661	9	0.191	0.852
Episode 9	7 November	0.835	6	0.174	1.009
Episode 10	10 November	0.778	4	0.197	0.975

External links

• The Only Way Is Essex at itv.com
• The Only Way Is Essex at the Internet Movie Database

References

1. "Jack Tweed's best friend Mark Wright makes his own bid for fame in The Only Way Is Essex". London: Daily Mail. 2010-10-12. Retrieved 2011-04-21.
2. "First 'Strictly' elimination pulls in 9m". Digital Spy. 2010-10-11. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
3. "ITV2 w/e 10 October 2010". BARB. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
4. "The Only Way Is Essex – Highlights – Series One Episode One". ITV. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
5. "ITV2 w/e 17 October 2010". BARB. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
6. "The Only Way Is Essex – Highlights – Series One Episode Two". ITV. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
7. "'X Factor' double elimination grabs 13.4m". Digital Spy. 2010-10-18. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
8. "The Only Way Is Essex – Highlights – Series One Episode Three". ITV. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
9. "ITV2 w/e 24 October 2010". BARB. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
10. "The Only Way Is Essex – Highlights – Series One Episode Four". ITV. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
11. "Nearly 10m watch Shilton's 'Strictly' exit". Digital Spy. 2010-10-25. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
12. "The Only Way Is Essex – Highlights – Series One Episode Five". ITV. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
13. "ITV2 w/e 31 October 2010". BARB. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
14. "The Only Way Is Essex – Highlights – Series One Episode Six". ITV. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
15. "'Psychoville' thrills 1.4m on Halloween". Digital Spy. 2010-11-01. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
16. "The Only Way Is Essex – Highlights – Series One Episode Seven". ITV. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
17. "Paloma's 'Apprentice' exit pulls in 7.3m". Digital Spy. 2010-11-04. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
18. "ITV2 w/e 7 November 2010". BARB. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
19. "The Only Way Is Essex – Highlights – Series One Episode Eight". ITV. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
20. "Nearly 15m watch 'X Factor' elimination". Digital Spy. 2010-11-08. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
21. "The Only Way Is Essex – Highlights – Series One Episode Nine". ITV. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
22. "The Walking Dead and The Only Way Is Essex: TV Preview". Metro. 2010-11-11. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
23. "'The Apprentice' hit by Pride Awards". Digital Spy. 2010-11-11. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
24. "ITV2 w/e 14 November 2010". BARB. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
25. Sheridan, Emily (2010-11-08). "The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright KOs Kirk Norcross in bloody boxing match finale... as ex Lauren is in his corner". London: Daily Mail. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
26. "The Only Way Is Essex – Highlights – Series One Episode Ten". ITV. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
27. "Weekly Top 10 Programmes – ITV2". BARB. Retrieved 2011-04-06.
28. Menhinnitt, Dan (2010-12-14). "Only Way Is EsseXmas". The Sun (London). Retrieved 2011-04-05.
29. "Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 22 December 2012.