The seventeenth series of the British semi-reality television programme The Only Way Is Essex was confirmed on 3 June 2015 when it was announced that it had renewed for at least a further six series, taking it up to 21 series. It is the second series to be included in its current contract. The series will launch on 28 February 2016. Ahead of the series it was announced that cast member Jess Wright had quit the show having appeared since the first series in 2010. Ferne McCann also confirmed that she would be taking a break from the show but would be back. It was the first series to include new cast members Chloe Meadows, Courtney Green, and Chris and Jon Clark. Jon previously appeared on ITV2's Love Island.
This series also featured the show's 200th episode. On 9 March 2016, it was announced that former Ex on the Beach star and Celebrity Big Brother housemate Megan McKenna has joined the cast and would be making her debut during the 200th episode. However, Megan previously made a brief appearance on the first Essexmas special in 2010 where she originally auditioned for Jess Wright's new girl group. On 13 March 2016, ahead of the show's milestone 200th episode, a special episode titled "The Power of TOWIE" aired hosted by Mark Wright, where cast past and present united to discuss the show's history.
Cast
Episodes
Reception
Ratings Episode Date Official ITVBe rating ITVBe weekly rank ITVBe+1 viewers Total ITVBe viewers Episode 1 28 February 2016 951,000 1 33,000 982,000 Episode 2 2 March 2016 884,000 2 27,000 911,000 Episode 3 6 March 2016 1,075,000 1 32,000 1,107,000 Episode 4 9 March 2016 1,118,000 1 40,000 1,158,000 The Power of TOWIE 13 March 2016 452,000 3 30,000 482,000 13 March 2016 1,063,000 2 58,000 1,121,000 Episode 6 16 March 2016 1,104,000 1 31,000 1,135,000 Episode 7 20 March 2016 1,064,000 2 51,000 1,115,000 Episode 8 23 March 2016 996,000 2 74,000 1,070,000 Episode 9 27 March 2016 1,019,000 1 76,000 1,095,000 Episode 10 30 March 2016 978,000 2 55,000 1,033,000 Episode 11 3 April 2016 1,143,000 1 99,000 1,242,000 Episode 12 6 April 2016 1,150,000 2 47,000 1,197,000 Episode 13 10 April 2016 1,199,000 1 62,000 1,261,000 Episode 14 13 April 2016 1,232,000 1 60,000 1,292,000 Series average 1,070,000 1 53,000 1,123,000
References