The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) premiered 16 years ago, offering viewers a glimpse into the glamorous lives of Essex's elite. Stars like Mark Wright, Lauren Goodger, James Argent, and Sam Faiers became household names, with the show generating countless catchphrases and iconic moments. However, off-screen drama has intensified over the years, with cast members facing untimely deaths, addiction battles, criminal activity, and business failures.
Recent Tragic Deaths
On Wednesday, Jake Hall, who rose to fame in 2015 and appeared on TOWIE from series 14 to 18, died at age 35 after reportedly smashing his head through a glass door at a rented property in Majorca. Spanish police found him in a pool of blood with fatal head injuries, likely from a tragic accident. Witnesses said the group had been partying all night and continued at his rented place. Hall is survived by his eight-year-old daughter River, whom he shares with reality star Misse Beqiri.
Earlier, former TOWIE star Jordan Wright was found dead after drowning in a drainage canal in Phuket, Thailand, on March 14. His body was repatriated to Essex, and an inquest was opened and adjourned until September 14. CCTV showed him acting erratically before his death.
In January 2021, businessman Mick Norcross died by suicide at age 57. His son Kirk, an original TOWIE cast member, discovered his father's body, leading to a relapse in his cocaine addiction.
Addiction Struggles
James 'Arg' Argent has been open about his battles with alcohol and cocaine addiction. He was suspended from TOWIE in 2014 after failing a drug test and spent time in a Thai rehab facility. In 2019, after a split with Gemma Collins, he relapsed and was hospitalized twice. Argent has spoken about suffering psychosis during his addiction, locking himself in his room for days. He underwent gastric sleeve surgery in 2021 and has since lost 14 stone. Last year, he admitted to pushing his girlfriend during a row in Spain, receiving a suspended sentence.
Nightclub Horrors
In 2011, Sam and Billie Faiers were attacked by a girl gang in a nightclub, leaving Sam with two black eyes and a split nose. In 2016, Jake Hall was stabbed with a glass bottle at a club in Marbella, nearly losing a kidney. He was hospitalized in intensive care but recovered.
Doomed Partners
In 2017, Ferne McCann's boyfriend Arthur Collins carried out an acid attack at a London nightclub, injuring 16 people. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Lauren Goodger dated Joey Morrison, who was jailed for 16 years for burglary, and later Jake McLean, who died in 2022 after driving off a cliff in Turkey while under the influence.
Jail Time
Mike Hassini, who appeared on TOWIE from 2015 to 2018, was jailed in 2021 for six years and nine months for cocaine possession. He was released after serving two years.
Business Failures
Many stars launched businesses that failed. Gemma Collins' clothing brand accumulated debts of £42,000, and she was banned from owning companies for three years. Pete Wicks' promotions firm was £100,000 in the red. Joey Essex's clothing boutique Fusey closed in 2018.
