Italian stallion Mario Falcone has claimed that The Only Way Is Essex is too influential over people's lives and that the intervention of the production team causes arguments and issues that wouldn't happen otherwise.
People up and down the country have spent endless hours glued to their screens trying to work out whether the ridiculous antics of Mario, Mark, Arg and co. are the genuine activities of their day-to-day lives.
Does Mark really have every girl in Essex chasing him? Do they really think that turning their skin tangerine orange looks good? Do the ordinary folk of Essex really buy full-sized pigs for their girlfriends thinking they are micro pigs?
Well it seems they do! Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mario said: "It's about 80% real and that's what makes certain things really upsetting. One minute you can be chatting to someone, thinking they are your best mate, then you see them slagging you off and bitching about you on camera."
He added: "It's really hard to trust people and to know who is really a friend."
That may be the case, but with endless magazine deals, TV appearances and openings of envelopes to attend it is probably soon forgotten.
Talking about Mark Wright missing the next series, Mario said: "Mark won't be there, but I'm sure they'll bring another arsehole in - someone to cause dramas."
TOWIE Stars at their best
Kirk Norcross(01 of14)
Open Image ModalKirk's got the rich dad, the swanky sports car and the club... no wonder he's attracting such classy ladies. (credit:Getty)
Lauren Pope(02 of14)
Open Image ModalPopey possesses possibly the poutiest of all pouts in the land of TOWIE and she's not afraid to use them. (credit:Getty)
Gemma Collins(03 of14)
Open Image ModalTOWIE's token larger lady brings endless laughs. Not one to sweep things under the rug or avoid the awkward questions, Gemma once asked Greek twins Dino and Georgie if they look at each others penises. (credit:PA)
Nanny Pat(04 of14)
Open Image ModalEveryone wants a nan like nanny Pat and everyone wants a bit of her sausage plait. (credit:Getty)
Harry Derbidge(05 of14)
Open Image Modal"Shuuuuuurp!" Harry not only has one of the best catchphrases on the show, he's also on the same level as the girls when it comes to tans, bleached hair and posing. (credit:Getty )
Mark Wright and James Argent(06 of14)
Open Image ModalMark and Arg, Arg and Mark, The troublesome duo have one of the best bromances reality TV has ever seen - Mark even sat through Arg's colonic irrigation! (credit:Getty)
Mark Wright(07 of14)
Open Image ModalMark's been branded just about every name going when it comes to his alleged philandering, but that hasn't stopped the TOWIE girls going near him. Anyone would think he's the only man in Essex. (credit:PA)
Lydia Bright(08 of14)
Open Image ModalLydia gets credit for having the most tasteful dress sense on the show, think more Chanel and less Agent Provocateur. She's also a hero for putting up with Arg and Mark's bromance. Not one to shy away from a fight, she's pretty good at putting Arg in his place. (credit:Getty)
TOWIE girls glammed up(09 of14)
Open Image ModalSee, they can look demure. You've just got to give them a Bafta.
Sam Faiers and Amy Childs(10 of14)
Open Image ModalAmy may have left the show for "bigger and better" things, but in our mind she'll always be a TOWIE girl. (credit:Getty)
Joey Essex and Sam Faiers(11 of14)
Open Image ModalJoey Essex, you really can't get more Essex than him. He's also the closest thing to a male Barbie on television at the moment. Here's a rare picture of the "reem" ladies man wearing trousers and not short shorts. We think it's time he faced up to the fact that they're NEVER going to catch on. (credit:Getty)
Lauren Goodger(12 of14)
Open Image ModalIt feels like we've seen Lauren cry more times than she's laughed on TOWIE (that will be the ex-boyfriend's fault of course), but here she is doing what she does best - looking pretty in a beautician's. (credit:PA)
Jessica Wright and Maria Fowler(13 of14)
Open Image ModalMark's sister Jessica and bubbly Maria know how to party (when the cameras are around). (credit:PA)
Chloe Sims(14 of14)
Open Image Modal