THE Only Way Is Essex cast were today seen arriving at the airport as they got ready to head off on their “gap year” trip to Vietnam – but FOUR huge show stars were missing.
It comes after The Sun revealed how Towie bosses had ditched their annual trip to glam Marbella for more of a backpackers holiday.
We revealed last week how the cast will launch the new series of the smash hit ITVBe reality show in Vietnam.
Today the stars of the show were seen arriving at the airport where they would be boarding a flight to Southeast Asia, which could take around 13 hours.
But despite the VERY long trip, the cast looked in good spirits as they made their way through the busy terminal, loaded up with suitcases.
Towie OG Harry Derbidge, who has been on the show on and off since it started, was spotted arriving with Dani Imbert, who was wearing a dressing gown.
The pair smiled as they pushed their luggage through to check-in.
Luckily they didn’t spot Harry’s ex Joe Blackman and Junaid Ahmed, who were also seen strolling through departures.
At one point the couple, who go together behind Harry’s back, stopped for a snog.
Another Towie couple seen having a kiss at the airport was James “Diags” Bennewith with his girlfriend Jodie Wells.
Elma Pazar was also seen looking glam in the airport alongside good pal Courtney Green.
Another star sighting was Ella Rae Wise, who was dressed in a comfy pink tracksuit for the long flight.
However, some of the reality show’s biggest stars were noticeably missing.
Towie heavyweights like Dan Edgar, Amy Childs, Lauren Goodger and Chloe Meadows were nowhere to be seen.
It is not known why they weren’t at the airport to catch the flight, but fans will be hoping that they will be part of the trip.
Lauren thrilled fans when she rejoined the show last year, while fans were equally happy when fellow Towie OG Amy became a full time member of the cast again a few years ago.
‘GAP YEAR’ HOLIDAY
The Towie stars usually head for more glam locations like their beloved “Marbs”.
However, for season 37, bosses are trying something different and have booked the cast into more of “gap year” holiday.
Vietnam is a hot spot for those seeking an authentic travelling experience away from the norm, so is a favourite of those tripping around the world after leaving school.
The Sun revealed how this is fitting for Towie’s new breed who are all young Gen Zers,.
A source told us: “Towie has always had younger faces at the heart of the drama, which makes sense for the audience and the show’s home on ITV2.
“The fresh new arrivals will shake up the series after last year’s celebrated the show’s origins a little more with the return of Lauren Goodger.
“But viewers that remember the glory days of Sugar Hut and no carbs before Marbs might struggle to get their heads around Vietnam.”
ICONIC REALITY SHOW
The long-running reality show, which has clocked up 35 series since its first outing in 2010, moved from now-defunct ITVbe to ITV2 last year, where it continues to thrive.
It’s one of ITVX’s most watched programmes with 63 million views over the past 12 months.
Rebecca Kenny-Smith of Objective Entertainment which makes Towie, said: “We’re anticipating an action-packed, drama-fuelled series, with the unmissable Essex antics viewers love.”
