TOWIE legend Lauren Goodger has confessed that scenes from the early years of the hit reality show were “set up” in order to fit a certain narrative.
The TV star, 34, revealed that show bosses crafted certain scenes between her and then-boyfriend Mark Wright in order to make him look “bad”.
Lauren made the bombshell revelations, including that other girls he was dating on the show were simply cast for the storyline, during her explosive sit-down interview with Celebs Go Dating agent Paul C. Brunson on his brand-new podcast.
During the chat, Lauren defended her ex Mark as she admitted that although there were “difficult times”, their relationship’s issues were exaggerated in order to entertain fans of the hit ITVBe reality show.
Lauren and Mark dated for 9 years before finding fame on the TV hit which led to their romance crumbling one year later.
During the tell-all interview, Paul probed Lauren on her romance with Mark in which she revealed the first time she was “aware” Mark was with other girls was during filming for TOWIE but clarified that it was simply for a storyline.
Lauren told Paul: “We had cameras on us, we had press… ‘bad boy Mark’.
“He wasn’t a bad boy, that’s just how they [The Only Way Is Essex] portrayed him.
“What is quite hard is that yes, there were difficult times and I’m not saying it wasn’t hard but it wasn’t all bad from him.
“He was a good person and a good partner but they say ‘he treated you terribly’ – that was just for the show.”
Lauren continued to say: “We would do a scene and then go home and have tea and biscuits.
“He would arrive with another girl [on camera] but really he has arrived with me.
“That is when it got a bit complicated as people were like ‘he is seeing this one and that one’ and I am like ‘no, we arrived together, she is only on it to be on the show’.
“It was hard for me as I was trying to be understanding and just film and try and let the viewers see this storyline but not go ‘hold on a minute, he did not arrive with her!’
“It makes it look like I’m crazy!”
The Sun has reached out to a representative of The Only Way Is Essex for comment.
Mark Wright's career timeline
Since rising to fame over a decade ago as a reality TV star, popular personality Mark Wright has gone on to enjoy a successful career.
- The Only Way is Essex (2010-2011, regular): Mark was an original Towie cast member from its October 2010 launch and spanning series 1-3. He left the programme in 2011 but has returned for a handful of cameos.
- I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here (2011): After leaving Towie, Mark signed up for the famed ITV jungle. He finished in second place behind McFly star Dougie Poynter.
- Heart (2012-2017; 2019 – present): Mark first joined radio station Heart in 2012, leaving five years later to pursue work in the United States. He made a return to the station in July 2019.
- Strictly Come Dancing (2014): The star took to the Strictly ballroom in 2014, finishing fourth behind Caroline Flack, Simon Webbe and Frankie Bridge.
- The Dengineers (2015-2017): Mark was a co-presenter of the children’s programme for its first two series. After his departure, later hosts have included Joe Swash and Meryl Fernandes.
- Extra (2017-2020): Mark was an entertainment reporter for this US outlet for three years.
- The Bachelor UK (2019): A revived UK iteration of the popular American dating show. Mark’s version of the programme aired on Channel 5.
- The Challenge UK (2023): Another UK rendition of an American format, this aired on Channel 5 in February 2023.
- Clean It, Fix It (2024 – present): Mark has joined the popular BBC daytime show from its fourth series onwards.
It comes amid claims that Mark’s current wife Michelle Keegan was left displeased with Lauren choosing to speak out over the romance on the podcast.
Michelle, 37, was understood to be “less than impressed” at Lauren going into details about her romance with Mark once again.
Last week, we reported how Lauren, also 37, had confessed the romance with Mark had “broken her” in a candid chat.
Lauren told how she felt she was “never going to love anybody else” as she raked over her past emotions in Celebs Go Dating star Paul C Brunson’s podcast, We Need To Talk.
Former ITVBe stars Lauren and Mark acrimoniously ended their eight-year relationship on the reality show back in 2012, with Mark later marrying Our Girl actress Michelle in 2015.
After the stark confessions a source has revealed the words didn’t go down well in the Wright household.
They told OK! Magazine: “It’s not that Michelle can’t sympathise with Lauren or is cross with her, she doesn’t know her at all, but she doesn’t like what she reads when Lauren talks about her.
“Mark also gets annoyed and he’s very protective of his wife and family.
“He doesn’t like them being brought up by Lauren, especially as it was so long ago.
“It’s ancient history for him.”
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