Sam Faiers confirmed she is leaving The Only Way is Essex in the show's dramatic season finale on Wednesday night.
While at Jess Wright and Ricky Rayment's prince and princesses party, the reality TV star told her pregnant sister Billie Faiers and friends James 'Arg' Argent and Jess that she wants to take time away from the show to concentrate on her rekindled romance with Joey Essex .
"You know me I'm usually party girl but I feel I need to step back a little bit," said Sam, who was recently diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. "I want to concentrate on my health. It's really hard. I'm crying.
© Photo: ITV"With me and Joey now we're really good and I want to concentrate on our relationship too," she added. "I need to step off the Essex scene for a little bit."
Joey Essex hints he's back with TOWIE's Sam Faiers with cosy bed picture
Joey was quick to show his support for Sam, tweeting, "I'm so proud of her. Well done my baby x."
© Photo: ITVSam became emotional as she told her friends she was leaving the show
Arg, Jess and Billie consoled an emotional Sam with a group hug and Arg supportively told the 23-year-old he loved her.
Events then took a dramatic turn as Lydia Bright, Arg's ex-girlfriend, made a surprise return to the show after quitting in December 2012.
While Arg panicked about his reunion with Lydia, his other ex Gemma Collins began to cry.
© Photo: InstagramSam suggested she and Joey Essex have reconciled with this picture
TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh was avidly tweeting her reaction to the season's climax.
"Caught the end of #TOWIE .. Cried at @SamanthaFaiers goodbye scene ? she looks gorgeous .." wrote Lucy. "Good Luck @SamanthaFaiers on your new journey!! Family, Health & Happiness come 1st ... Love u lots ?x."
"Soooo happy to see my Beautiful @LydiaRoseBright back," she added of the clothes designer's return. "Brightening up my TV screen ??? #TOWIE"
