Pete Wicks has put a spanner in the works for the latest series of TOWIE after testing positive for Covid-19.
The 32-year-old has been forced to quarantine with best friend James Lock, 34, who has come into close contact with the star.
This means that filming will have to continue without the two major stars, which will come as a huge blow to producers.
The ITVBe show, which brutally cut ten castmembers for the new series, was set to air scenes between James and ex-girlfriend Yasmine Oukhellou, 27, who will be making a huge comeback.
Yasmin had been set to have an explosive confrontation with ex James after he cheated on her with pal Chloe Brockett.
An insider told the MailOnline : "It's the worst possible news as James was set to confront Yasmine in her bombshell return while filming on location in Dorset.
"Now bosses are desperately trying to come up with other ideas in a bid to start the series with a bang."
They added that sacking the former cast had backfired as "numbers are looking thin" now that the pair can't film.
TOWIE declined to comment when approached by the news publication.
It comes after Pete, who has been on the show since 2015, managed to survive the cull back in July.
Meanwhile other cast members such as Courtney Green, 26, Chloe Meadows, 28, and Clelia Theodorou, 26, will not be returning to the ITVBe series.
Others reported to not be returning include Amy Childs’ cousin and original cast member Harry Derbridge, 27, Tom McDonnell, 26, Harry Lee, 26, and Kelsey Stratford, 20.
The future of Chloe Brockett, 20, on the show remains unknown.
Elsewhere, cast members who are thought to be safe from the cast cull are long-running cast member Chloe Sims, 38, and her sisters Demi and Frankie, Liam Gatsby, 32, Amber Turner, 28, James and original cast member Amy Childs, 31.
ITV announced on Thursday: “After more than 10 fabulous years following the lives of our ever-growing cast, TOWIE will be evolving with some changes.
“As it looks to future series, the next instalment of our BAFTA award winning show returns to Essex to follow a smaller group of cast members.”
*TOWIE returns later this year on ITVBe
