Back with heightened drama, cries of “Oh my God”! TOWIE’s 35th series returns on Sunday with an avalanche of fake tans. OG Lauren Goodger, who returned last year after eight years away, is also present to accept the motherly role amid the chaos. An icon of the show, known for her rollercoaster relationship with her ex, Mark Wright, in the early series, life has changed significantly for Lauren, 38. She now has a daughter, Larose, and it’s clear the three-year-old is her pride and joy.
“I love her so much”, she says. She only wants to play and I’m her real-life doll, so I’m typically covered in Disney glitter all over my face. Having been single since breaking up with Larose’s dad, Charles Drury, in 2022, Lauren, whose second daughter Lorena died shortly after her birth the same year, is open to the idea of dating in 2025. Although she says, “I want to take it slow”. Here, Lauren discusses motherhood, meeting someone new and playing peacemaker among her TOWIE friends…
Hi Lauren! You’re one of the TOWIE OGs and you bring a mum energy, don’t you?
Definitely. I’m older and like a big sister. I’m the mum and I’m mature. I’ve been there and emerged from the shadows. I don’t drink and I don’t party so I’m boring, I know. When I arrive to film, I return to Larose as soon as possible. I would have been the last one there if I had been the last one on other shows I’ve done before becoming a mother. Now it doesn’t interest me. I’m the older person who wants to return home and drink a cup of tea.
Do you have help with childcare?
Yes, I do – I have my mum and I also have childcare with a teacher from a pre-school. Her young daughter and I have a close relationship, and Larose and her daughter are best friends. They play. Larose has a great time.
What do you think of 2025?
This is my year. Last year was a really bad year for me. It wasn’t all bad, but some of it was hard and there were lots of changes. However, I’m ready to start dating this year. I’m excited. I am old-fashioned though – it has to be a recommendation or someone I meet at the gym – or Instagram, which I suppose is online. I prefer to go looking for people I know or who are close by.
Is there anyone you’re interested in?
There are a couple on my radar. I’ve seen them in public places, quickly. Not a formal date one-to-one. It took a while to get to that point because I wasn’t interested. Everyone was like, “You need to go out with someone”. I couldn’t think of anything worse. But now I’m like, “He’s nice…”
What’s changed?
It has taken time and healing. Larose is a little bit older. She spent a lot of time on the boob.
a year and I just wasn’t ready to leave her. I’m regaining my life now that she has begun pre-school. That makes it easier to believe I could start dating soon. Nothing major, but it’s okay to start seeing someone because I’m not getting married. I want to do it slowly, but I’ll want to do it long-term.
Is it hard to date while sober?
Being completely sober with someone new is f*****g scary! But I’ve got to do it. Because I’m sober, I notice things more when I’m in a public space and someone stares at me. Normally, if I have a drink, I wouldn’t care but I notice if people are looking or taking a picture of me.
How are you finding the newest TOWIE series?
It was nice to see everyone. You must make the effort to meet everyone at the meeting. I’ve just filmed with Chloe Meadows, Harry Derbidge and Amy Childs.
How is Harry recovering from his breakup with Joe Blackman?
He is doing amazing. He’s been in the gym and looks really healthy. He’s single
and ready to mingle.
You have been friends with Joe, Junaid Ahmed, and Harry, and they have had a lot of verbal exchanges. Are you the peacemaker?
I’m completely neutral. I’ve known Harry and Amy]his cousin] for 15 years and I’m very close to Joe and Junaid. Junaid is one of my best friends. It’s hard for me, but I’m with Joe and Junaid every day. They’re always at my house and I love them. Junaid cooked dinner for me last night while Joe blow-drying my hair using extensions and rollers. He loves Larose. I’ll always have close friendships with them. They don’t really have anyone to support them, so I’m their little voice of support on the show. Although there’s Freddie]Bentley] too – we’re both in the middle. Fred is always with Dani]Imbert] and Harry, and I’m always with Joe and Junaid, but we’re both in the middle.
Harry’s opinion on it?
Harry just said to me, “We will never put you in the middle”. It’s difficult, but they do reassure me.
On ITVBe & ITVX’s Sunday, February 23rd, at 9 p.m., The Only Way Is Essex will debut.
Source: Mirror
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