THE Only Way is Essex has offered fans a glimpse into the glamorous lives, dramatic story lines and breakups of Brentwood’s elite for more than 16 years.
But recently the by the sudden deaths of two former stars in eerily similar tragedies just weeks apart.
Tragic Jake was found dead in a Spanish villa aged 35 Credit: Shutterstock
Jordan Wright was enjoying his time in Thailand before his death Credit: instagram
On Wednesday Jake Hall, who shot to fame on the reality series in 2015, was found dead after crashing through a
The Sun exclusively revealed that the 35-year-old was partying on the Spanish island before he was found in a pool of blood at the property .
Before his death, Jake was living permanently in Spain where he was renting an apartment.
But the country no doubt held dark memories for him after in 2016.
His death comes just weeks after another Towie star, Jordan Wright, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Thailand.
The 33-year-old from Basildon, , was found face down in a drainage canal on the island of Phuket on March 14.
His body was repatriated to Essex and a post-mortem examination was carried out at Basildon Hospital.
An inquest into his death was opened earlier last month and has been adjourned until September 14.
Police at the scene where Jake was found dead
The two separate tragedies share a string of chilling similarities, with both deaths shrouded in mystery.
A police source said witnesses described Jake as “agitated”, possibly from “alcohol and other substances he may have consumed” before his death.
Investigators have quizzed four men and two women staying at the house.
Police confirmed the death is being treated as accidental with “nothing pointing to it being the result of a crime at this stage”.
No arrests are believed to have been made as inquiries continue and an autopsy is due to take place in the Majorcan capital, Palma.
Meanwhile haunting CCTV footage before bolting out of the complex shortly before his body was found.
Lieutenant Colonel Chanasin Prateep Na Thalang said witnesses who saw Jordan described him being in a “frenzied state”.
with a mystery stranger.
Chilling CCTV showed Jordan Wright running erratically outside his hotel Credit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress
Cops continue to investigate who was on the other end of the call.
Both stars had plans for a “fresh start” and shared a haunting final glimpse into their lives just before tragedy struck.
Jake shared a last post on Instagram vowing to “remember the good things” hours before he died.
Set to the Rolling Stones’ classic Beast of Burden, it showed him enjoying painting, Spanish scenery and fashion.
It was captioned: “Life is bollocks sometimes but I’m gonna try remember the good things – ️ looking through things – I’m just making art – in many forms.”
And just days before Jordan’s body was discovered, he shared his glitzy new life with his 21.5k followers.
He simply captioned the post “I’m Home” alongside a Thai flag.
The pair both spoke openly about struggling with fame and celebrity life.
Jake first shot to fame on The Only Way Is Essex in 2015Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Wright appeared on Towie and Ex On The Beach in 2018 and 2017 Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Jake battled a number of personal and professional struggles in recent years, from to being by ex-girlfriend , the mother of his daughter River, seven.
Right from the beginning of his career in the spotlight, the 6ft 4ins star was open about being uncomfortable with fame.
Shortly after his debut on Towie, Jake said during an interview on This Morning: “The privacy part has been quite difficult because everyone knows your life within days of being on the show.”
Jordan also admitted he felt “hugely unfulfilled” by TV life.
He rose to fame on in 2017 before joining in 2018.
Before finding fame, Jordan had worked as a firefighter and later returned to the job.
Many have considered the ITV show to have “cursed” cast members with a host of tragedies emerging since its 2010 inauguration.
In January 2021, Towie star Mick Norcross died by suicide aged 57.
The Sugar Hut owner and businessman was discovered in Bulphan, Essex.
Mick had posted a cryptic message on Twitter hours earlier, which read: “At the end remind yourself that you did the best you could. And that is good enough.”
Mick joined the cast of Towie in the early series alongside his son Kirk, 32, Mark Wright and Lucy Mecklenburgh.
But in 2013 he revealed he was leaving the show over fears it was damaging the image of his nightclub.
James Argent opened up about his cocaine addiction Credit: The Sun
James fell out with Nicoline Artursson on holiday Credit: Instagram @real_arg
Addiction has also taken hold of a number of cast members, including James Argent
Arg said his addiction escalated from taking cocaine in nightclubs to binging in his £1.3million house.
The singer, now 39, said his girlfriend at the time, Gemma Collins, had to phone 999 twice in one year, with emergency services being forced to kick down his door.
He previously told The Sun : “It wasn’t glamorous or rock and roll at all. I wasn’t taking drugs surrounded by hot girls at wild parties. My drug use was always by myself, isolated.
“I didn’t want anyone near me. I wanted to be alone but it triggered horrific paranoia and psychosis.”
Arg’s drug binges ended his relationship with co-star Lydia Bright and his job on Towie plus other high-profile TV work.
Explaining his former addiction, he previously said: “One of the main reasons why substance addicts binge is to escape feelings and get away from it all.
“I was in so much heartbreak and pain that I just couldn’t bear it, so I started taking drugs, and drinking heavily.”
Last year, Arg was handed a after he pushed his former Miss Sweden partner Nicoline Artursson down some steps on holiday in Spain.
An insider told : “James and Nicoline had a row that turned nasty and he pushed her over.
“He was arrested and taken to a station where he was put in the cells for a few hours.
“Their relationship is over and they can no longer speak or contact one another.”
He admitted the gender violence offence and was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
The singer broke his silence about the assault and said: “I haven’t relapsed. I am still three years and four months clean and sober.
“I am devastated by what’s happened.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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