Renowned for bringing the drama, chaos and bust-ups, The Only Way Is Essex is back – and new cast member Freddie Bentley is not shying away from any of it.
The 26-year-old has joined for series 33 and is already kicking things off with a bang, as he firmly cements his “bestie” status with co-star Ella Rae Wise. This isn’t Freddie’s first rodeo when it comes to reality TV though, as he finished The Circle as runner-up behind Alex Hobern in 2018.
Here, the star opens up about dramatic fallouts on the show, who he’s closest to – plus the odd frenemy – and the heartbreaking reason he can never drink alcohol again…
Hi Freddie. Welcome to TOWIE! It looks like you’ve known a few cast members for a while?
I did The Circle six years ago for Channel 4, which was crazy and it catapulted me into a world I love. So then Ella and I met at
the NTAs and we realised we had loads of mutual mates. I’ve also known the likes of Harry [Derbidge] for over 10 years, although we have not been close. I used to work for him in Harry’s World – his little shop. Saffron [Lempriere] I knew from different events and Elma [Pazar] I’ve also known for years, too. I have always been connected to TOWIE , so it felt like a long time coming.
Have you starred in anything else since The Circle?
Mostly dating shows like Celeb Ex In The City, but I’ve also been on Good Morning Britain and This Morning. Plus, I’m a presenter on TikTok so I’ve managed to keep a name for myself. I am a grafter but I’ve also been known as a controversial character. People think I am putting on who I am but I’m genuine. It is hard for people to believe. Joining TOWIE, I thought I was going to be a slow burner – I didn’t realise it was going to be as hard work as it was. I’ve had people judge me for being loud and flamboyant. It is a whirlwind.
Can we expect to see some drama from you on TOWIE?
100%. I wouldn’t go out of my way to start drama but I have got a very strong opinion on most things. What I will say is that I don’t start things, I end them…there are a lot of rumours flying around as always. Me, Junaid [Ahmed] and Dani [Imbert] had a falling out prior to the show.
Hasn’t Ella had her fair share of drama with Dani and Junaid too?
Long story short when they fell out with Ella last series I got very protective and pulled them up on their behaviour. I am a very blunt person and very direct. People sometimes take that personally and think I am digging them out. Instead, I’m just teaching you right from wrong. I own what I say because I am not a coward. But I do also apologise. Saying sorry is good for them and your soul. I am not carrying around anyone’s burden – no thank you.
Ella and Harry fell out in Bali, too…
I think it was a real shame. Anyone could have mentioned about Ella and Dan [Edgar] but he went out of his way to do it. That’s the shame of it all and I don’t know if it will go back to what it was. Trust needs to be rebuilt and strengthened. But what hasn’t helped is Harry saying things about me to Ella. It wouldn’t be TOWIE without the drama.
How is your relationship with him now?
Harry downplayed our relationship with the whole cast. I do think he was a bit shocked I came on because I had to keep it a secret, but I don’t owe him that. Two weeks before he went to Bali he was round at mine having a takeaway, but he made out to everyone we didn’t have a friendship. That is yet to be tackled on the show but it will be. We’ve got a friendship but it is very distant, I think he feels threatened by another gay guy joining the show.
How will you handle that situation?
I’m no wallflower and I’m a big character and I think it throws people. I am all about everyone winning so it is a shame because we could have had an amazing friendship, but I have heard he has been badmouthing me…
Are you single?
I’m so single it is a joke. I have been single for four years and celibate for two years. I am celibate, sober and sexy! I like
to see myself as a temple so I don’t want anyone’s energy near me if it is toxic. I had a crazy relationship previously where I was cheated on. It doesn’t define who I am and I’m finally healing from it.
So why did you decide to go sober?
I was diagnosed with a liver disease at the age of 24 and had jaundice. I was going to get a liver transplant because I discovered I had a weak liver through a biopsy – it was something I was born with. It was a dark time in my life but going sober really did
save me. Thankfully I didn’t need the transplant but I’m never allowed to drink ever again. Sober dating can be hard but I didn’t like how I was rowdy anyway. Coming into TOWIE sober was a different ballgame though.
Watch TOWIE on Sundays at 9pm on ITVBe
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