‘Marbs’ takes the centre stage on TV

AFTER an avalanche of teasing photos, digital clicks, YouTube hits, column inches, and wild speculation eliciting the groaning of weary minds, the crew from ‘The Only Way is Essex’ (TOWIE), finally made their umpteenth splash on the silver screen on Sunday with their special series set in Marbella. 

The premiere of the new season, which follows a wealthy set of entitled party goers, apparently all named Chloe, around various Costa del Sol hot-spots is the crowning glory of ITVBes nascent television empire. 

Dubbed ‘The Only Way Is Marbs’ for this season only, (TOWIM doesn’t quite have the same ring), the show draws in quite literally thousands of viewers from all around the world, eager to catch the celebrity exploits on television before they’re plastered all over the papers the next day.

Manufactured controversy from Sunday night’s episode is already gripping entertainment magazines across shelves from Sainsburies to Tesco, and will surely be swaggering on your dentist’s waiting room table before the decade is out.

 Megan McKenna, Pete Wicks, James Argent, Lydia Bright, and their mind-boggling collection of nicknames are this season’s chief protagonists sampling Marbella nightlife and having some terrifically rehearsed fights for the camera. 

Marbella is a popular destination for stars of the long-lasting show looking to capitalise on the Costa del Sol city’s glowing reputation as a leading luxury hotspot, whether the feeling is mutual isn’t so clear.