How explosive rows & failed storylines put FOUR Towie stars at risk of the axe… as ‘pack of hyenas’ blamed for rifts

Four Towie stars are facing the chop as bosses plot a major shake-up – and behind the scenes it is what they have, or haven’t, brought to the show that could ultimately decide their fate. Now we can reveal the messy rows, disrupted filming and lack of standout storylines that have left their positions under scrutiny. Livvy Jay has found herself at the centre of a string of explosive clashes with her Towie co-stars Credit: Instagram/@lashesbylivvy Livvy Jay and Dani Imbert have clashed repeatedly as tensions between the pair have spilled over on the ITV reality show Credit: ITV2 Last week, I told how producers are in “survival mode” as they attempt to take the long-running reality favourite back to its roots, with bosses keen to put the focus firmly back on the institutional stars and relationships viewers already know. But that means some of the newer faces are having to prove they have a genuine place in the new-look Towie. One source told us: “Some of the newer faces simply don’t fit into the direction the show is trying to go in now and it’s down to whether they connect with the core cast. “The producers want to put the focus back on the people who have years of history together which gives them much more to play with in terms of drama and relationships. Bringing in too many new people has diluted some of those established relationships, so they’re looking at stripping things back.” And one of the clearest examples is Livvy Jay, who joined the cast in 2024. Her explosive relationships with some of the show’s biggest names have repeatedly threatened to derail filming. The reality star has found herself at loggerheads with core cast members including Dani Imbert, Freddie Bentley and Saffron Lempriere, with rows escalating into increasingly personal territory. Dani has previously accused Livvy of making comments that were “below the belt”, while tensions with Freddie have also erupted on screen. Livvy herself acknowledged the growing split within the group during filming, describing a “huge divide” and likening the dynamic to a “pack of hyenas against the lioness”. But insiders say the problem for Livvy is that the fallout from those clashes risks causing problems with the favourites, who bosses are now desperate to keep at the heart of the show. Our source said: “Livvy is one of the clearest examples of someone who is struggling to fit into the established group. She has had a lot of clashes with the core cast, and those relationships haven’t developed into the kind of organic storylines production wants. “There’s a big difference between having drama and having drama that actually feeds into the wider Towie story. With Livvy, there have been concerns about whether she fits naturally into that world.” The Sun previously revealed how Livvy was kicked off set midway through filming the Towie Christmas special and escorted away by security after tensions boiled over. At the time, a source told us: “Livvy hasn’t been on the show much recently but was asked to return for the Christmas special. She filmed scenes but midway through the final day of filming she was kicked off set – it was really dramatic and security marched her out and she went home.” That incident has added to concerns about whether she can comfortably operate amongst the fan-favourites. Our latest source said: “There have been issues with Livvy and production before. The Christmas special was a particularly difficult situation. That sort of incident inevitably makes producers question whether someone is workable within the wider cast.” And there is another issue – bosses want to protect the relationships they believe are the key to bringing back the old-school Towie feel. Our source said: “When you have core cast members who have known each other for a decade, it’s very difficult for a newer person to suddenly become part of those dynamics. “There have been moments where filming has become very difficult because of the relationships between Livvy and some of the other cast. If someone is constantly at the centre of disputes and people are walking away from scenes, that becomes a real consideration.” Another source added: “The conflict has overshadowed the actual storylines, and that isn’t necessarily what they want going forward. Too much time is being spent managing the fallout from the rows.” But while Livvy’s position is being questioned because she has generated too much disruption, the Gurie twins are facing scrutiny for almost the opposite reason. The 19-year-old identical brothers Jonnie and Joe joined Towie for series 36 as part of its newer generation of Essex faces. However, insiders say they have struggled to establish themselves as central figures in a show where bosses are now looking for bigger, more memorable storylines. Our source said: “The Gurie twins are a very different situation to Livvy. There hasn’t been the same level of controversy around them. Their issue is more that they haven’t established themselves as essential to the show. They added: “They’re perfectly likeable boys, but the question is whether there is enough there for them to justify their place in a much more tightly focused cast. Josh, Jonnie and Joe, are also among the newer Towie stars whose futures are now under scrutiny Credit: Raw Image Ltd / Objective Media Group. Bosses are keen to put the focus back on Towie’s established stars and the long-standing relationships at the heart of the show Credit: David Fisher The same problem is facing Essex bricklayer and hairdresser Josh Francism. Josh came into Towie with built-in connections to big names including Harry Derbidge and Saffron Lempriere, giving him an obvious route into the wider group. Our source said: “Josh is another example of someone who hasn’t necessarily carved out a big storyline of his own. He came in with links to people like Harry and Saffron, which gave him an obvious way into the show, but the question now is whether he has enough of his own story to keep him there.” And that is becoming increasingly important as bosses attempt to strip things back. Our insider said: “Being liked and being involved isn’t necessarily enough anymore. The people they want are those who can generate their own storylines rather than simply appearing alongside the original cast.” It means the reasons behind the four stars being questioned are actually very different. Livvy has been at the centre of plenty of drama – but there are concerns that her clashes risk damaging relationships with the established stars bosses want to protect. Josh, Jonnie and Joe, meanwhile, have avoided that level of controversy but have yet to establish themselves as indispensable. Our insider said: “When you’re trying to get back to the old Towie formula, people who are mainly there in the background are inevitably going to come under more scrutiny.” With bosses keen to put the focus back on names such as Ella Rae Wise, Dani Imbert, Sophie Kasaei, Jordan Brook, Junaid Ahmed, Joe Blackman, Amy Childs and Lauren Goodger, the newer generation has less room to hide in the background. The next series will therefore be crucial for those fighting to prove they deserve a place in the new-look cast. Our source said: “The cast need to understand that the rules have changed. “If someone doesn’t have a natural place within those established storylines, their position is going to be questioned.” ITV have declined to comment.