Since The Only Way Is Essex first aired 15 years ago, many stars have risen to fame through the hit ITV2 series. But it’s not just the cast members who’ve stepped into the spotlight some of their siblings have also gained attention.
Lydia Bright rose to fame as one of the original Towie stars, alongside her on-and-off boyfriend, James “Arg” Argent. Her mum, Debbie, also became a fan favourite on the show. Wanting to follow in her sister’s footsteps, Lydia’s sibling Romana made her own appearance on Towie.
Like Lydia, Romana runs a lifestyle blog and has recently ventured into content creation.
Romana’s Instagram bio describes her as a “creative for individuals and brands.” She offers custom content, created, styled, and curated by herself in her studio once a product arrives. R
omana has also addressed her connection to her famous sister Lydia and the Bright family name. In an interview with absolutelymagazines.com, she shared, “Lydia joined Towie when I was seven, so I’ve always seen it as my normal.”
Romana opened up about the bullying she faced in high school, saying, “Her name was constantly brought up, which made me put up a barrier against anything related to it.”
However, she has since learned to embrace her sister’s name, acknowledging, “It’s brought me incredible opportunities that I’m truly thankful for.”
Mario Falcone, known as Towie’s infamous lothario from 2011 to 2015, was mostly recognized for his relationship with Lucy Mecklenburgh. However, many don’t realize his sister is Giovanna Fletcher, married to Tom Fletcher from McFly.
Giovanna, who followed in her brother’s footsteps into the limelight, became a successful TV personality and even won I’m A Celebrity. Mario and Giovanna share a close bond, with Mario crediting her for helping him through a difficult time after a suicide attempt in 2012.
He has spoken about how her constant support played a crucial role in his recovery.
Mario Falcone has expressed deep gratitude towards his sister, Giovanna Fletcher, for helping him through one of the darkest moments of his life. He recalled how she remained calm during his crisis, guiding him to seek counseling.
Mario admitted that, as a man, he felt the pressure to maintain a tough exterior and struggled to open up, but Giovanna encouraged him to do so, ultimately saving his life.
He has often said that he owes her everything, especially after a difficult breakup that left him facing a barrage of hate on social media. At the time, he felt trapped, believing he had no way out.
Mark and Jessica Wright both became household names as part of the original Towie cast, with their entire family, including their parents and Nanny Pat, gaining fame through the show. However, their sister, Natalya, chose not to join the spotlight.
Though she didn’t appear on Towie, Natalya still enjoys the perks of having a famous family. She frequently travels with them and is often seen flaunting a designer wardrobe, living a lifestyle filled with star-studded events.
At the time Towie began filming in 2011, Natalya was still in primary school and decided to stay away from the cameras, even as many of her family members made regular appearances on the show.
When Natalya came of age, she declined the opportunity to join Towie, explaining to OK! Magazine that reality TV just wasn’t for her. She said, “I’ve seen what it’s like when people come up to Jess all the time asking for pictures, and I wouldn’t want that.”
While she wouldn’t mind fame, she clarified that she’d prefer it to come from something like modelling or acting rather than reality television.
Despite not being on the show, her connection to her famous siblings has certainly worked in her favor. Natalya has been offered opportunities in modelling, leveraging her family’s star power while keeping a more private profile.
Cara Kilbey, alongside her best friend Billi Mucklow, became a key member of Towie in 2011. Her brother Tom Kilbey soon followed, joining the cast in the fourth series in 2012.
While on the show, Tom briefly dated Billi before starting a relationship with Lydia Bright, which lasted over a year. They eventually broke up, citing a hectic work schedule and minor disagreements.
Tom had aspirations of being a professional footballer, making a couple of appearances for Portsmouth and Lincoln City in 2011. In 2017, he was spotted getting close to Paris Jackson, fueling rumors of a relationship.
Tom Kilbey and Paris Jackson were spotted hanging out in LA shortly after Paris ended her long-term relationship with Michael Snoddy. Their sighting caused quite a stir back in the UK, with the Towie cast shocked by how the Essex lad had managed to form such a famous connection.
