1 hour "Best-Bits" special

Christmas special. Mark splits up with Lucy and tells Lauren he's not ready to be with her, before leaving a Christmas party in a taxi with Sam.

The offical video for "I'm in Essex Girl" featuring the entire cast of the series which made it debut on ITV2 on 8 March 2011 promoting the second series.

Different cast members relive some of their favourite moments and discuss how it feels to have their real lives being played out in front of the whole country.

Jess and Joey are still reeling from the kiss and decide to go on a date and pursue a relationship much to Sam's disappointment. Arg throws a regal birthday party and asks Lydia to start looking for a place for them to move in. Mario, Joey, Chloe and the two Laurens take a trip to Santa's homeland, Lapland.

Features Essex favourites Sam, Billie and Lydia as they are put through their paces by one of the hottest dance choreographers on the UK scene - Glenn Ball, in a workout designed by Glenn together with fitness trainer and co-choreographer Deanne Berry.

The cast head to Marbella, Spain in this special episode of The Only Way Is Essex. Mario proposes to Lucy whilst enjoying a romantic cruise. The cast head to a champagne party. At the end of the episode, when Lucy and Mario return from their cruise to announce their engagement, Sam reveals there have been rumours going around about Mario's fidelity.

Arg reveals he will be putting on a big charity event where all the cast will be showcasing their talents. Mick puts on a barn dance themed party to raise money for the event although Gemma and the Wright family are not invited.

The live episode centered around the Charity night event with members of the cast performing including Kirk singing and Chloe and Diags performing Barbie Girl, Joey doesnt know if he wants to propose to Sam due to their constant arguing and fear of her leaving him again. The cast performed their 2011 christmas single Last Christmas at the end of the episode.

Mark returns to get Arg back on his feet as it will be his first Christmas without Lydia in the past 4 years. Joey and Sams relationship problems continue, with Joeys sister Frankie and his cousin Chloe worrying that Sam will again break his heart and try to clear the air with Sam during a stay at a cottage in the countryside. Lydia moves into her new house, but also has a confession to make- she's leaving Essex. Elsewhere, cracks continue to appear in Mario and Lucys relationship as a trip to the London Eye doesnt end well when the couple argue about their futures, and Danni begins to get close to Charlie again.

With rumours going round that Lucy has spent the night with Mario, Tom is still left confused and has doubts in his mind. Ferne invites Pascal along to a group trip causing awkwardness for Lucy. Tom's flirting with Pascal affects Lucy, and she ends up back in Tom's arms again. The rivalry between the Bloor's and the Wright's continues, and there's tension between Gemma and Bobby as he spends the day with Chloe and Lauren despite Gemma's disapproval. Jasmin confides in Danielle over her feelings towards Dan. Back home, Tom and Mario discover that Lucy has been playing them both. A confused Lucy has a heart to heart with Mario before sharing one last kiss with him and leaving Essex.

Mark Wright and Denise Van Outen present this special celebration of all things Essex, live from the famous Sugar Hut. Includes a look behind the scenes of the current series.