INTERVIEW: TOWIE's Junaid Ahmed:"I'm unapologetically me"
TOWIE returns for its 36th series, celebrating 15 years of Essex glitz, glamour and goss✨💎🍸
– 5 min read
The Only Way is Essex is ITV’s BAFTA award-winning constructed reality series that exploded onto screens in 2010, wait what?! 15 years ago!? Wowowowowow.
TOWIE, as it has become so affectionately known is the show that revolutionised TV with its unique blend of drama and reality giving birth to a whole new genre: dramality. I love that word! Packed with make-ups, breakups, laughs, and heart, TOWIE is seriously addictive (trust me, I’ve watched every single episode since day one-no skips, no shame).
After a jaw-dropping last series, the iconic show is back this Sunday night as in TOMORROW NIGHT-cue the confetti! And with the closure of ITVBe, TOWIE is returning to its original home on ITV2, airing twice a week again too just like in its heydey-every Sunday and Monday. Let the drama begin!
Series 35 was packed with so many plot twists....Ella Rae Wise and Dan Edgar finally made it official only to split just a week before she entered the Celebrity Big Brother house. Freddie Bentley got cold feet after a holiday fling in Bali with Harry Derbidge and Saffron Lempriere and Harry kissed and made up.
Courtney Green was navigating a breakup with long-term partner Callum Bushby, Jordan Brook celebrated his 30th, and Junaid Ahmed and Dani Imbert came close to reconciling though Dani seemed keen to normalise drifting from friendships without the drama instead. And that’s just scratching the surface, so much more went down.
Rebecca Kenny-Smith, TOWIE's Creative Director shared her excitement about Series 36: “This is TOWIE's first trip to Portugal and it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable getaway! We’re anticipating lots of TOWIE antics in the Algarve and what better way to celebrate the milestone 15th anniversary."
With Series 36 kicking off this Sunday, yes this Sunday, I caught up with none other than the one and only Junaid Ahmed, one of TOWIE’s biggest personalities and arguably one of its most misunderstood too if you ask me.
In case some of our readers haven't ever tuned into TOWIE (omg), can you give us a quick intro-who you are and what do you bring to the show?
Hey! I’m Junaid! Well I’ve just finished my 7th series on TOWIE, going onto my 8th-crazy! I joined TOWIE in 2022 as the self proclaimed bitch with a heart of gold and ruffles feathers from the start. I made history as the first gay Muslim reality star on mainstream TV and here I am living my best life.
I’m definitely the fire cracker TOWIE needed, never one to shy away and always involved in all the drama but always bringing good vibes with a little bit of spice.
How are you and Joe?
Me and Joe are all good and we are loving life! We’ve recently moved into our new home which is amazing and we celebrated our 1 year anniversary so it’s going great.
I know you can't give any spoilers but what can we expect from you in series 36 of TOWIE?
This series of TOWIE for me is very different. A little bit of drama but a lot more wholesomeness! I’m settled in my relationship, I’m very work focused so I’ve been helping my friends with their drama, rather than me be at the centre of it. It’s been a nice change.
This series is a great series full of drama so it’s going to make great viewing. It’s been nice to take a little back seat this time around.
How do you handle the intense moments both on and off camera and how do you take care of your mental health amidst the spotlight and social media attention?
Ever since I’ve joined TOWIE I’ve always endured a lot of abuse online, it is what it is, I’ve never been one to let it really affect me.
I know who I am as a person and peoples opinions when they don’t know me doesn’t really bother me.
I get we open up our lives to the public and people have their opinions to which they are entitled to. I’ve always been one to give TOWIE my all so yeah at times it can get hard but I’m quite use to it now so it’s all good! We also have an amazing welfare team on TOWIE that check in at all times when the show is on and off air.
What’s been your favourite moment from filming this series so far?
Celebrating mine and Joe's 1 year anniversary was so special and cute. I can’t wait for you guys to see!
You’re always serving serious looks on the show, where do you get your style inspo from?
Awww thank you!! I’ve always been one to always just be true to who I am.
I'm unapologetically me and will always continue to do. I do love a bit of glitz and glam.
Did you grow up watching TOWIE and did you manifest being a part of it or did it just happen out of the blue?
I’ve always watched TOWIE and loved it since day one. I’ve always had friends on the show so it was a natural progression for me to come on. I’m forever grateful.
What’s one thing about you that we might not know about you but you’d love to share?
Ooooo!! I open up my life to TOWIE but recently I’ve been obsessed with cooking if you haven’t seen my TikTok recently. Check out my cooking vids. I love it!
@junaidahmedx How to cook my homemade lasagne 😋 #lasagne #fyp #trending #foryoupage #comfortfood ♬ Summer Time - Syafeea library
Since joining TOWIE, what’s the most important thing you’ve discovered about yourself?
Not to take myself to seriously and always remember regardless of what I’m doing people will always relate.
How has your lived experience guided the way you advocate for and empower the LGBTQ+ Muslim community?
I love what I do, I love my culture, I love my religion and I love to be an advocate for my community. It’s hard and challenging because it’s so frowned upon however it will never change my mission to make a change and raise awareness for people like me.
What's your star sign and do you relate to the traits?
I don’t know too much about star signs but I’m a Sagittarius.
What do you hope viewers take away from your journey this season?
I’m 30, I’m settled, I’m not the constant drama and I’m just someone that’s worked hard and living my best life.
Life works in mysterious ways! Enjoy every moment.
TOWIE is back on Sunday on ITV2 and ITVX at 9pm.
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Written by
Scene's head pop critic/pop culture enthusiast, sliving in Brighton. Since 2021, I write a silly monthly column, sometimes interview artists, occasionally review theatre and listen to pop music daily!
