The Clash for Towie's Queen Bee: Co-Stars Outraged as Ella Rae Wise Takes Credit for 'Saving the Show'

FROM Lauren Goodger and Amy Childs to Gemma Collins and Chloe Sims, The Only Way is Essex has always had a Queen Bee at the helm of the show.

, 39, took centre stage of the first three series as her on/off romance with then-fiance played out on-screen, while , 45, is responsible for some of ’s most memorable moments.

Stunning Ella is Towie’s golden girl with insiders telling how bosses credit her with breathing life back into the show Credit: Instagram Her on/off relationship with Dan Edgar has dominated the show in recent years Credit: Unknown

But, as it , the competition to be the show’s leading lady has never been more fierce.

It’s been nearly 16 years since the first episode of the ITV2 reality show but, unlike some of its rivals, it feels fresher and more exciting than ever.

You could put this down to the fast-paced drama or the sleek production – but we’re told, behind-the-scenes, is credited as the reason for the show’s second wind.

Stunning Ella, 26, ensured she was the talk of the reality TV world by – and it paid off, with them continuing to dominate the show’s storyline since 2024 and her being cemented as the producers’ golden girl.

Ella with Livvy Jay (far left) and Dani Imbert in Vietnam for the series 37 opening episode Credit: Unknown She’s more than happy to bring the drama and Ella insists she never regrets what happens on camera Credit: Unknown

An insider told The Sun: “Ella is the full package: she’s got the looks and the feisty attitude and she isn’t afraid to be vulnerable on camera. She might be young but Ella knows what makes great TV. To show bosses, Ella is worth her weight in gold.

“Everyone at ITV loves Ella. She is far from a diva but, put it this way, if she started making demands, they’d almost certainly be met.”

A representative for Towie declined to comment when approached by The Sun.

Ella joined the series in 2019 but was part of a major cast cull just two years later.

At the time, Towie was struggling with forgettable characters like Kelsey Stratford and Clelia Theodorou, who were axed alongside Ella.

But bosses clearly realised they’d made a mistake and – and she’s now undoubtedly the star of the show.

Towie legend Amy made a return to the show in 2020 Credit: Variety via Getty Images Fellow show OG Lauren soon followed and we’re told they’re far from threatened by Ella Credit: WireImage

While it’s great news for Ella, we’re told her rapidly rising star at ITV – which landed her a stint on last year – hasn’t gone down well with her female cast mates.

She currently appears alongside the likes of , and and The Sun understands they’re doing all that they can to remind bosses they’re just as valuable to the show.

The gang kicked off the new series by jetting to Vietnam where and Courtney, 30, decided to take on Ella and Dan, 35 – who has since – by confronting them over their flirty friendship.

And last series Elma, 33, and Love Island hunk Sammy Root attempted to come for Ella and Dan’s crown as Towie’s hottest couple but instead ended up fizzling out – .

A source said: “The other girls are ramping things up, without a doubt. It was assumed that, after Ella and Dan split, it would be someone else’s turn to shine.

“But bosses have no intention of letting Ella fade into the background. With or without Dan she’s brilliant TV and she’s always got something going on. Ella herself will admit that she’s a lot of things but boring isn’t one of them.

“Courtney and Elma haven’t been Ella’s biggest fans in recent years anyway. They’ve been in the reality TV game longer than Ella and it certainly rubs them up the wrong way when they see how many scenes she gets compared to them.

“Dani and Ella on the other hand are friends. While Dani is happy for Ella, she is making it her business to remind producers of what she brings to the table.”

Speaking to The Sun ahead of the current series launch, Ella insisted she never has any regrets about what she does on the show – from on-screen romances to bitter fall-outs with friends.

And, proving that she’s keen to keep giving viewers what they want, she admitted she’d have no issues if ex Dan’s new girlfriend Chloe, 35, decided to return to Towie.

Elma and Courtney have no intention of becoming background characters and are ramping up the drama this series Credit: Unknown Ella’s pal Dani also wants to remind bosses what she brings to the table Credit: Unknown

With just a hint of a cheeky grin which said it all, Ella quipped: “I’d welcome her with open arms.”

If any more proof of Ella being one of the main reasons for Towie’s revival was needed, months after she was reinstated as a cast member in 2020 – after years of turning bosses down.

And her fellow OG Lauren – who had also previously declined several offers from the show – , around the same time Ella and Dan got together and sent shockwaves through Essex.

An insider said: “There was a time when many former Towie stars, not just Amy and Lauren, were concerned that the show they all love and will forever be grateful for was on its way out.

“Amy and Lauren, along with the likes of Gemma and Mark, know Towie will never come close to when they were first on it but they’ll admit it’s finally got its spark back.

“Unlike the other girls, Amy and Lauren are far from envious of Ella – they’ve got no time for drama at this stage in their lives.

“Instead they often joke that she reminds them of them in the early years. As long as she knows her place when it comes to them, they’re happy to let her bring the chaos while they sit back and enjoy their status as show legends.”

But we’re told, when it comes to the others, Ella needs to watch her back.

“She’s swimming in shark infested waters,” a source added. “To last in reality TV you need to remain relevant and the other girls have no intention of being the next victims if there’s another cast shake-up.

“Things on-screen might be more dramatic than ever right now but a storm is brewing off camera and the claws are well and truly coming out.”