Back with heightened drama, cries of “Oh my God!” and an avalanche of fake tan, TOWIE returns on Sunday for its 35th series. And there to embrace the motherly role among the chaos is OG Lauren Goodger, who made a comeback last year after an eight-year absence. 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. “I’ve normally got Disney glitter all over my face as all she wants is to play and I’m her real-life doll.” 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 I’ve come out the other side of things. I don’t drink and I don’t party so I’m boring, I know. I come to filming and then I go home as soon as I can to get back to Larose. Old Lauren – on other shows I’ve done before being a mum – I’d have been the last one there. Now it doesn’t interest me. I’m the older one now who wants to go home and have 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. We’ve become friends and her little girl is best friends with Larose. They play. Larose has a great time. How are you feeling about 2025?. This is my year. I had a really crap year last year. It wasn’t all bad, but some of it was hard and there were lots of changes. But I’m ready this year to enjoy it and start dating. 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 tend to go for people I know, or if they are from the area.
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 was on the boob for a year and I just wasn’t ready to leave her. Now she has started pre-school so I’m getting my life back. That helps on the road to thinking I could start dating soon. Nothing heavy – I am not getting married – but to start seeing someone is OK. I will want to do it long-term but I want to take it slow.
Is it hard to date while sober?. Being completely sober with someone new is f*****g scary! But I’ve got to do it. If I go to a public place and someone stares at me, I notice things more because I’m sober. 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 feeling about the new series of TOWIE?. It was nice to see everyone. It makes you make the effort to meet up with everyone. I’ve just filmed with Chloe Meadows, Harry Derbidge and Amy Childs.
How is Harry doing after splitting up 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’re friends with Joe, his new partner Junaid Ahmed and with Harry – and there’s been a lot of confrontation between those three. 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. Joe blow-dried my hair last night – extensions and rollers – and Junaid cooked dinner at mine. He loves Larose. I will never not be friends with them. I’m their little bit of support on the show – they don’t really have anyone to back them. 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.
How does Harry feel about it?. Harry just said to me, “We will never put you in the middle.” It’s difficult, but they do reassure me. The Only Way Is Essex starts on Sunday 23rd February at 9pm on ITVBe & ITVX. It has taken time and healing. Larose is a little bit older. She was on the boob for. a year and I just wasn’t ready to leave her. Now she has started pre-school so I’m getting my life back. That helps on the road to thinking I could start dating soon. Nothing heavy – I am not getting married – but to start seeing someone is OK. I will want to do it long-term but I want to take it slow.
