THE Only Way Is Essex has been thrown into chaos amid plans for the show to move to Thailand for the first time.
Cast and crew were all set to jet to Phuket to film special episodes of the ITVBe reality series when they were hit with a massive issue.
This week, their flights were suddenly cancelled without warning, leaving the stars of the show and production team “scrambling around” to get there.
The unfortunate hold-up with the airline could cause a delay with scheduling plans for the new series of Towie and is said to have sparked a real “headache”.
A source exclusively told The Sun Online: “Everything was planned perfectly but disaster struck when all the flights out there got cancelled.
“It’s left everyone scrambling around to get the cast and crew out there so the schedule doesn’t slide even more.
“The entire thing has been such a headache.”
Towie has been contacted for comment.
Last month, we told how Towie bosses had planned the trip to Thailand as part of a huge overhaul of the show’s format.
Usually, the stars of the show jet out to an exotic location for the opening episodes of a new series.
But in a big shake-up, producers decided to throw in the abroad trip after filming had already begun in a bid to spark more drama.
It will also be the first time that Towie has filmed in Thailand.
A source close to the show said at the time: “Following the success of its first long haul trip since Covid last series, Towie bosses are once again flying the cast to a distant land.
“This time producers are opting for the beautiful island of Phuket, which sits on the Andaman Sea with a backdrop of blue bays, palm filled cliffs and white beaches.
“There’s no doubt that the glamorous Towie cast will fit right in on the exotic isle. All won’t stay tranquil, as with every series, there will be drama waiting just around the corner…”
The exciting announcement about Thailand came off the back of reports that Geordie Shore legend Sophie Kasaei will be making an apparance on the show alongside her boyfriend Jordan Brook.
The Sun previously revealed Sophie, 33, is dating Towie star Jordan and insiders claimed bosses want to use the situation to boost viewing figures.
