Towie Bosses Unceremoniously Cut Me Over Zoom, Turning My Life Upside Down
Kelsey Stratford, who spent three glamorous years as a beloved regular on The Only Way Is Essex, experienced a shocking end to her reality TV journey when producers unceremoniously axed her via Zoom. Just 21 years old, she was living the high life with luxury holidays and a brand new Range Rover when the news broke in 2021—just two weeks before filming was set to resume.
In her early days on the show, Kelsey earned a modest £90 a day, but her pay increased as she became more established, reaching up to £300 a day. She was part of a significant cast cull that also saw fan favorites such as Yazmin Oukhellou, Courtney Green, and Chloe Meadows let go. This unexpected turn of events forced Kelsey to pivot her career entirely, stepping away from the glitzy world of reality television to become a full-time carer for her younger sister, Kennedy, who has spinal muscular atrophy.
Speaking exclusively from her new home in Dubai, the now 24-year-old Kelsey reminisced about her abrupt departure: “I genuinely thought I was going back to filming. I had treated myself to a brand new Range Rover and was planning multiple holidays, fully believing I was secure in my job.” She continued, “Then, just two weeks before filming was to start again, they told me they no longer wanted me on the show. I felt blindsided, especially since Towie was my sole source of income.”
Kelsey expressed her frustration with how the situation was handled: “They didn’t manage it well at all. I had no backup plan, no savings, and was living at home. If I had been living independently, I genuinely don’t know what I would have done.”
After her time on Towie, Kelsey embraced her role as a carer, finding it incredibly fulfilling to support her sister. However, she also recognizes that her departure from the show stemmed from not being involved in enough drama—unlike her close friend and former co-star, Chloe Brockett. “The thought of engaging in constant conflicts with co-stars was a source of anxiety for me,” Kelsey admitted. “It felt so fake, and pretending to be someone I wasn’t was exhausting.”
“Producers would often tell me, ‘Kelsey, you need more drama; otherwise, you won’t be filming.’ This pressure made me feel like I had to create conflict just to keep my spot on the show,” she added. Despite filming frequently—sometimes up to six days a week—Kelsey’s journey took an unexpected turn when she was let go.
Transitioning to a New Chapter
The sudden loss of her TV career plunged Kelsey into a state of despair. “It was incredibly disheartening,” she reflected. “My life felt like it was turned upside down. I had invested three years into Towie, growing from 18 to 21 during my time on the show. I was left wondering what I was going to do next.”
While initially struggling with the transition from the glamorous world of reality TV to a “normal” job, Kelsey’s commitment to caring for her sister was unwavering. “Although I loved taking care of Kennedy, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss and confusion about my future,” she shared.
A representative for Towie commented, “All cast members are contracted per series, and we prioritize the well-being of our current and past cast members. We ensure all current and departing cast have access to robust welfare and psychological support if needed.”
Discovering New Opportunities
After nearly two years of caring for her sister, Kelsey decided to take a leap of faith and join OnlyFans, a subscription-based content platform known for adult content creation. Initially apprehensive about the stigma associated with the platform, Kelsey quickly realized its potential for financial gain when a management company revealed the lucrative possibilities.
“On my very first night, I earned more than I would in an entire month working at my previous job,” Kelsey exclaimed. “It was a game changer.” She noted that many of her subscribers are former fans from Towie, eager to see more of her life. “I receive messages all the time from people asking, ‘Is this really you, Kelsey? Am I talking to Kelsey from Towie?’”
Questioning Double Standards
Interestingly, Kelsey had considered joining OnlyFans while still on Towie but was reportedly told it wasn’t allowed. Now witnessing current cast members like Lauren Goodger actively participating, she questions the apparent double standards within the show. “I definitely felt there were favorites among the cast. Those who stirred the most drama seemed to get more filming opportunities,” she said. “There were even times when we were taken on filming trips, and some cast members were excluded if they weren’t creating enough drama.”
A Brighter Future Ahead
Despite the challenges of the past few years, Kelsey remains optimistic about her future. “I truly believe everything happens for a reason,” she said. “Now, I’m earning significantly more than I ever did on Towie and, more importantly, I’m much happier. The atmosphere of drama and conflict on the show was stressful, and I feel liberated now.”
As a single woman, Kelsey is looking forward to entering the property market in Dubai and hopes to settle down and start a family within the next five years, leaving her reality TV days behind for good. “I’m now making a fortune on OnlyFans, earning more in a single day than I ever did in a month on Towie,” she said with a smile. “I’m in a much better place now than I ever was.”
