The Only Way is Essex bosses are looking to return to the show's roots, as it's reported ITVBe bosses are in talks with some of the original cast members in a bid to boost the series.
Lauren Goodger - who is due to give birth soon - is reportedly top of the wish list of stars the TV channel would like to see return to the one-time BAFTA winning series.
TOWIE bosses feel a show legend returning would rejuvenate the long-running show and are said to be in "promising" talks with Lauren about a sensational comeback.
A source has claimed producers have reached out to the pregnant star, after admitting they would "love to have her back".
"She is one of the most popular originals and now she is about to become a mum for the second time, they feel this is the perfect time to reintroduce her to viewers," the TV insider confessed to The Sun.
"There is always drama in Lauren’s life, from her body battles and relationship struggles, so that makes her really relatable to viewers. The feeling is this return is well overdue."
Lauren - who expecting her second daughter with on-off boyfriend Charles Drury any day now - is said to be keen to explore the possibility of sharing aspects of her life on screen once again.
The mum-to-be, 35, was part of the TOWIE family from its launch in 2010 until the sixth series in 2012, with her tumultuous on-off relationship with Mark Wright often providing the show's most dramatic scenes.
Her cameo on the 2015 Christmas special led to a full-time return for series 19 in 2016, but she departed once again and has not returned since.
Lauren is reportedly interested in her options but doesn't want to commit to anything until she gives birth to her second daughter later this summer.
"All the signs look promising," the source hopefully added thought. "Watch this space."
The Mirror has approached reps for Lauren and ITV.
Lauren's ex Mark - perhaps the most famous TOWIE alum - last year refused to rule out a return to the show that made him a household name.
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Mark revealed it was a case of 'never say never' when it comes to whether he would ever make another appearance on TOWIE or reality TV in general.
The star, who is now married to Michelle Keegan, quit the show to pursue other interests after three series in 2011, returning for brief cameos as recently as 2016.
When asked whether he would ever go back to his reality TV show roots, either by returning to the ITVBe series or with his own fly-on-the-wall documentary, Mark didn't shut the door completely on the idea.
"Listen, no chapter is ever closed," he told us.
"Right now, that’s not in the plans, but you never know what the future holds - never say never.
At the moment, that’s definitely not something I’m planning, no."
