Lauren Pope has announced her departure from TOWIE after nine years on the show.
The news comes just weeks after it was reported some of the original castmembers were feeling threatened by ITV bosses TOWIE stars 'threatened' as bosses hire 'younger influencers' after huge cast cull to breathe new life to the long-running programme.
Giving her own reasons for leaving, Lauren, 36, said: "After an amazing nine years on Towie I have decided that now is the natural time for me to say goodbye.
"I’ve made incredible friends especially you Chloe Sims, Georgia Kousoulou, James 'Diags' Bennewith, Tommy Mallet and Limes Pictures TV have now become an extended family to me.
"I’ll be forever grateful for their guidance and support over the years and the opportunities that have come my way from being a part of the family.
"I now really want to focus my time on my business ventures and personal relationship. And finally big thank you to all of you guys for keeping up with me over the years, here’s to an exciting next chapter."
Lauren broke the news with a single heart emoji as she posted the update to Instagram .
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She also included a typically glamorous snap of her posing beside Chloe Sims, also 36.
Last week it was reported that some of the seasoned Towie castmembers were feeling under pressure with the introduction of some sexy newbies to the series.
Many of the younger signings already have huge followings on social media, and their arrival is said to have left some of the existing TOWIE cast feeling threatened.
A show insider claimed that the new stars were even being kept separate from the original cast while they filmed their first scenes in Thailand – despite them being "desperate" to meet them.
TOWIE stars 'threatened' as bosses hire 'younger influencers' after huge cast cull
After Lauren revealed news of her departure, fans were quick to say how much they'd miss her.
"The show won't be the same without you," mourned one.
Businesswoman Lauren started out as a Page 3 model for The Sun before kick-starting a career as a DJ in 2007.
She was once branded "the world's sexiest DJ" by Nuts Magazine, and appeared in Calvin Harris' music video for Ready for the Weekend.
In 2016 she launched the Training Academy for hairdressers wanting to learn about fitting hair extensions, as well as having her own clothing line and brand of clip-in hair extensions, called Hair Rehab London.
It was recently revealed who would be returning for the next The Only Way is Essex 24th series.
Towie argument threatens to wedge rift between Yasmin Oukhellou and James Lock
The cast gathered for the official press launch for the show but in the crowd there were some surprise guests. James Lock and Yazmin Oukhellou joined the other stars for the party, but fans had thought they were axed from the show.
The cast were out in force at celebrity hotspot Sheesh in Chigwell for the press night, even though TV lovers had already seen the first two episodes of the series.
Favourites including Georgia Kousoulou, Tommy Mallet, Chloe Sims and Pete Wicks attended, as well as nine new cast members who joined for series 24.
