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
James Argent late 2013, Argent participated in the first series of the Channel 5 reality series "Celebrity Super Spa" with Helen Flanagan, Rustie Lee, John Burton-Race, Jody Latham and Yvette Fielding. In July 2015 it was announced that Argent would make his first pantomime appearance in Cinderella at the Kings Theatre, Southsea. He was cast as Dandini. The production ran from December 2015 until January 2016. In 2016, he took part in ITV's "Sugar Free Farm" and Channel 4's "The Jump". In Winter 2018, Argent will make another pantomime appearance, this time as Abanazar in Aladdin. He will star alongside Sam Retford.