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The Only Way Is Essex star Josh Francis has been axed from the new series, the Daily Mail can reveal.
The 25-year-old bricklayer from Essex, who only joined the show earlier this year, has been told he has been ‘rested’ by bosses and won’t feature in the 39th series.
Josh was first introduced to TOWIE fans during scenes filmed in Vietnam for the 37th series alongside fellow newcomers twins Jonnie and Joe Gurie, 20, who are TikTok stars.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, he said: ‘I was a bit caught off guard, as you can imagine. Nothing bad, though.
‘It's all ended amicably, but yeah, I’m getting rested for the next series, it's come as a surprise.’
He was told the news during a meeting with executives.
Josh continued: ‘There were no major storylines, so of course, I understand that. So all I could really do was build good friendships with everyone already on the show, which I've done.
‘There was talks about bringing people on the show for me, like close pals, and then to find out I'm getting rested was a bit of a surprise, I'll be honest.’
The Only Way Is Essex star Josh Francis has been axed from the new series, the Daily Mail can reveal
Daily Mail understands the builder was initially contracted for just two series, which has now been completed
He added: ‘I'm already balancing my bricklaying, my barbering, football, and trying to film 3 days a week with TOWIE.
‘Don't get me wrong, something did have to give, but I always made it very clear that it was gonna be my bricklaying to focus on towers.
‘And then to see me get rested for the next series was a bit of a shock, but it's ended on good terms, like the door's always open.
‘But from my point of view, it was a bit frustrating because I've like had other things in the pipeline that I had was interested in.’
Daily Mail understands the builder was initially contracted for just two series, which has now been completed.
Sources close to the reality star claim he was also approached about joining this year’s series of Love Island as a ‘bombshell’ entrant, but was blocked as he was still under contract to the long-running scripted series.
He is also believed to have been approached by producers for other rival shows.
He was told the news during a meeting with executives.
Daily Mail has contacted ITV.
Josh's exit from the show comes weeks after reports emerged that bosses were planning a mass cull of stars.
Insiders claimed that with plans for ITV to be purchased by Sky, producer Rebecca Kenny-Smith is plotting to restore TOWIE to its early days, and that will include axing a number of cast members.
TOWIE has already been renewed for another series, its third this year, but it's thought that this upcoming run will be watched closely in a bid to decide how the show will play out in the future.
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