Hot on the heels of Roman Hackett’s shock exit after four years on screen, two more The Only Way Is Essex stars have reportedly decided to quit the ITV reality TV show
TOWIE exodus as two more stars announce they’re leaving ITV reality show(Image: ITV)
Two more TOWIE stars are reportedly leaving the show, in a shock exit. This makes three people leaving the reality TV series, as Roman Hackett is also set to leave after four years on the show.
After two years with The Only Way Is Essex, Sammy Root, who first found fame on Love Island, is also thought to be leaving the show. Sammy debuted on the show in 2024 after his first Love Island stint, but is said to be stepping back to “explore new opportunities”.
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Matilda Draper, who is also a Love Island alum and is dating Roman, is another said to be making an exit. Matilda was supposedly “loved” by the showrunners, but was only on the show in a guest role, and with Roman’s exit, does not appear to be joining as a permanent cast member.
Sammy is thought to be leaving TOWIE(Image: Getty Images)
As is Matilda Draper, following the departure of her boyfriend Sammy(Image: GC Images)
A source told The Sun: “There are a lot of changes ahead for the new series of TOWIE and unfortunately some stars won’t be back.” They said Sammy met with bosses and they “agreed mutually” for him not to return to the show. “Sammy wants to explore new opportunities and producers felt like his storyline had run its course, but the door is always open for him to come back in the future.”
Sammy’s biggest storyline involved his romance with Elma Pazar, who he started dating when they both appeared on Love Island: All Stars. However, they soon broke up, and addressed the split tearfully on screen in June.
The source continued to say Matilda would not be returning either. They said her part on the show was a “guest role as Roman’s girlfriend, rather than a permanent cast member”. As such, when Roman decided not to return to the show, “it didn’t make much sense” for Matilda to without him.
Matilda was a guest star on the show as Roman Hackett’s girlfriend(Image: Lime Pictures)
Roman announced his exit via Instagram. Over a picture of him at a gallery, he wrote: “Life update… I’ve chosen to step away from TOWIE to focus on myself and the next stage of my career.
“The journey’s been mad in the best way, and I appreciate every moment and everyone who’s been part of it and for everyone that’s supported me! Thank you again for the constant support. Big love always. Onwards and upwards.”
When Roman joined the show, he was just 18, and was therefore one of the youngest on TOWIE. He has had plenty of romances seen on screen, including taking Ella Rae Wise on a date and starting a relationship with Dani Imbert.
Off screen, he was linked to Love Island star Ella Barnes, but has since gone public with Matilda. They met in Dubai after she split from Sean Stone, who she had met on the reality dating show.
