EXCLUSIVE: TOWIE bosses axe 10 cast members from show in biggest cull ever as producers confirm they want to focus on 'smaller group'... so who is getting the chop?
TOWIE stars Courtney Green and Chloe Meadows are the biggest casualties in the ITVBe show's mass cull, MailOnline can reveal.
The best pals, who joined the series in 2015, have been axed in a huge bid to breathe new life into the long-running reality show after a ratings slump.
Harry Lee, 26, Kelsey Stratford, 20, and Clelia Theodorou, 26, are also tipped to leave, while Chloe Brockett, 20, has confirmed she will remain in the cast.
Axed: TOWIE stars Courtney Green and Chloe Meadows are the biggest casualties in the ITVBe show's mass cull, MailOnline can reveal
But MailOnline can confirm Amber Turner, 28, a divisive figure among fans, is safe, as well as TOWIE veteran James Lock, 34, who first joined the series in 2013.
Original cast member Amy Childs, 31, who rejoined the series in 2020, will also remain on the show, while her cousin Harry Derbidge, 27, has been given the boot.
A source said: 'Courtney and Chloe are gutted, they thought they were part of the furniture. But bosses feel the ruthless cull was needed to shake up the show.
'Many of the stars are yet to be told ahead of meetings scheduled with producers today and are preparing themselves for the worst. It will be devastating for so many of them.'
The axing of Courtney and Chloe comes after TOWIE bosses confirmed the next series of the reality show will focus on a 'smaller group of cast members.'
MailOnline has contacted a TOWIE representative for comment.
'Devastating': Chloe , who joined the series in 2015, has been axed in a huge bid to breathe new life into the long-running reality show after a ratings slump
Gone: Clelia Theodorou, who's originally from Devon and first joined the series as Dan Edgar's love interest, is also leaving the show
'Smaller group': On Wednesday, TOWIE confirmed: 'After more than 10 fabulous years following the lives of our ever-growing cast, TOWIE will be evolving with some changes'
Cast members such as Pete Wicks, 32, and Bobby Norris, 34, are yet to be informed about their futures on the show, with bosses continuing talks via Zoom on Thursday.
Tom McDonnell, 26, who's close friends with Harry Lee, is also not returning to the series.
A source added: 'The cast who are yet to learn their fate are expecting the younger members of the show to go, but the older stars of the show are still worried they might be given the boot.
'For some people, TOWIE is their life but others have careers outside of the show, so won't take it as badly.'
The Only Way Is Exit: Who's getting the chop in TOWIE cull?
COURTNEY GREEN
The 26-year-old star has been axed from the show, after first joining the series in 2016. She is famed for her toxic relationship with ex TOWIE co-star Myles Barnett
KELSEY STRATFORD
The 20-year-old, who joined the ITVBe series when bosses recruited a 'younger generation' of stars in 2019, has also been axed from the popular programme
HARRY LEE
The 26-year-old who was a semi-professional footballer, is out of the show after joining in 2019 and romancing the likes of Chloe Brockett and Frankie Sims
CHLOE MEADOWS
The 28-year-old, who also joined TOWIE in 2016, will no longer be on the series. She's famed for her friendship with Courtney, and bitter rows with on-off pal Amber Turner
CLELIA THEODOROU
The 26-year-old who's originally from Devon, joined the series in 2018 as Dan Edgar's love interest, but she's now leaving the Essex drama behind, as bosses also give her the chop
HARRY DERBIDGE
The 27-year-old who's Amy Childs' cousin, and former original cast member, will also not be returning, after rejoining the series again in 202
On Wednesday night, in a statement released to social media, TOWIE confirmed: 'After more than 10 fabulous years following the lives of our ever-growing cast, TOWIE will be evolving with some changes.
'As it looks ahead to future series, the next instalment of our BAFTA award winning show returns to Essex to follow a smaller group of cast members.'
'This change allows our cast more time to film their real lives, showing more of their personal passions and professions, alongside their strong bonds and dynamics with family and friends,' producers expanded.
'Those who won't appear regularly on screen next series will always be part of the TOWIE family and we wholeheartedly thank them for sharing their lives with us in recent years.'
In a reminder to TOWIE viewers to be kind to the stars of the show, they said: 'As always, their wellbeing is of paramount importance to us and we will continue to offer welfare support if needed to all past and present TOWIE cast.
'We ask and urge all our viewers to think before commenting below, and remember that #ThesePeopleAreAllReal.'
Tommy Mallet, 28, who will star alongside Georgia Kousoulou, 30, in a new breakout series that follows their lives as new parents, said in the comments: 'Hope everyone's okay.'
Liam Gatsby, 32, who is believed to still be on the show as it moves into its 29th series, said: 'Lets go.'
Moving on: Kelsey Stratford is also leaving TOWIE, after producers confirmed they are revamping the show ahead of its 29th series
Out: Harry Lee , who joined the ITVBe series in 2019, has been dropped from the show, following romances with cast members Chloe Brockett and Frankie Sims
Chloe Sims, who is a much-loved member of the TOWIE cast among viewers and those on the show, will remain on the series.
Her sisters Frankie and Demi are also going to continue their time on TOWIE, with the family set to become the focal point of the show going forward.
In the most recent series, Chloe also filmed scenes with her daughter, Madison, following years of keeping her out of the spotlight.
The sister's brother, Charlie, also made an appearance on the show again this year, after first starring on TOWIE while he was in a relationship with Ferne McCann, back in 2013.
Safe: Chloe Sims, as well as her sisters Frankie and Demi , will all remain on the reality series