As well as losing some of their big stars who walked away for other TV shows, it has been reported that The Only Way is Essex bosses are also sacking a number of familiar faces.

Insiders say that producers have already told Maria Fowler and Harry Derbidge that they won’t be needed for the fourth series of the ITV2 reality TV show, though at the last minute they are thought to have changed their minds and will keep Sam Faiers on the series.

Kirk Norcross left recently, to appear on Channel 5′s Celebrity Big Brother and Mark Wright walked away last autumn, so he could join the lineup for ITV’s I’m A Celebrity…..Get Me Out Of Here.

An ITV2 spokesman told The Sun: “Mark, Maria, Harry and Kirk will not be in the next series.

“We thank them for their contribution to the show and wish them every success for the future.”

The pair announced the news themselves last night on Twitter.

Fowler wrote: “I Would like to be the first to announce… After a rollercoaster year and after meeting with producers today we have decided that my time on TOWIE has come to an end (sic).

Derbidge posted: “Hiya! I really did not want you to all find out so soon but its out there, I am not in TOWIE anymore as I am moving onto different things.”

With many of the old faces leaving, there will be room for a few new stars and yesterday we reported that Rochelle Wiseman’s best friend Georgina Dorsett will be joining the cast this year.

It has also been claimed that Jessica Wright will have a more prominent role in the fourth run and will be on the lookout for a new man when it starts.