<Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> External links </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Website </Td> </Tr> <P> The Only Way Is Essex (often abbreviated as TOWIE / ˈtaʊi /) is a British reality television series based in Brentwood, England . It shows "real people in modified situations, saying unscripted lines but in a structured way ." The show is filmed just a few days in advance . It is narrated by Denise van Outen, who is from Basildon, Essex . The show has been described as Britain's answer to The Hills and Jersey Shore . </P> <P> Each series lasts six weeks, airing on Wednesdays and Sundays at 10pm on ITV2 from 2010 to 2014, although it was announced in February 2014 that the show would be moved to ITV2's sister channel ITVBe when the channel launches . The first series consisted of 10 episodes and ran for 30 minutes, with a Christmas special following later in the year . Due to popularity, the show was extended to 45 - minute episodes and renewed for a year's airing . On 22 May 2011, the series won the Audience Award at the 2011 BAFTA Awards . The 12th series was the last to air on ITV2 before the show moved to ITV's new channel, ITVBe in October 2014 . </P>

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