The Only Way Is Essex would be extended. Ahead of the series it was announced that James Argent would be returning to the series following his break from the show. It was also confirmed that after making brief appearances during the previous series, Lauren Pope and Mario Falcone would be returning to the series as a full-time cast member. With this announcement, it was revealed that Mike Hassini would also be returning to the series having previously left the show after the eighteenth series. Former cast member Elliott Wright also made an appearance during the second episode of the series, whilst Vas J Morgan also
Joan Sims films all the way though to the final one in the original series, "Carry On Emmannuelle". Sims appeared in 24 "Carry On" films in all; she did not return for the one-off revival film, "Carry On Columbus" (1992). However, she did appear alongside Kenneth Williams in the radio show "Stop Messing About" in 1969–70. Prior to this she had worked on the BBC Radio comedy Play it Cool, with Hugh Paddick and Ian Carmichael. After the "Carry On" series ended in 1978, Sims continued to work on television. She appeared opposite Katharine Hepburn and Laurence Olivier in the award-winning 1975