The Only Way Is Essex: Series three additions make their entrance - Daily Mail

By Holly Thomas

Last updated at 6:35 PM on 26th September 2011

The series three TOWIE premiere aired last night following heated anticipation over the summer activities of Essex stalwarts Lauren, Mark, Chloe, Joey, Sam, Arg and Lydia.

But there were also some new characters in the mix, and one in particular made his presence felt.

Lucy Mecklenburgh's new beau Mario Falcone caused quite a stir when he dropped his towel in front of his girlfriend (and ITV2's 1.7 million viewers).

New man: Lucy Mecklenburgh's boyfriend Mario made quite an entrance, and showed his jealous side when he told her she couldn't got to Jessica's birthday party

All on show: Lucy didn't seem to mind when Mario dropped his towel and showed her the reasons why she should stay at home instead of going to the party, where she might run into ex flame Mark

He was seen showering before going into the bedroom to talk to Lucy as she was getting ready for Jessica's birthday party, which ex-flame Mark Wright was attending.

And it seems that Mario is the jealous type, since he told her plainly that he wasn't happy with her attending because Mark Wright would be there.

To make his point, he said: 'Why would you want to go anyway,' before throwing his towel away to show Lucy his assets.

All over each other: Lucy and Mario made a pre-emptive show of affection during a night out in Epping last month

He's appears to be very confident in his body, and cheekily tweeted after the show: 'Hoped you all liked my little bum haha sorry mum!'

Lucy had a fling with Mark behind the back of his then-fiance Lauren Goodger.

Though it it has been apparent for some time that Mark is far more preoccupied with his break-up woes than Lucy, Mario didn't want to take any chances.

Twin-tastic: Identical twins Georgio and Dino have also joined the cast and weren't shy about showing off their bodies on the first show of the series

Lucy and Mario have been thick as thieves since they got together in a tanning salon.

According to The Sun, Mario was keen on Lucy from the word go, but she resisted falling for the 23--year-old's charms at first.

'I've known him for years — we always saw each other out at Sugar Hut. But I thought he was a ladies' man. He had to prove to me that he wasn't,' Lucy told The Sun.

Welcome to the gang: New character Frankie Essex, Joey's sister, has now joined the cast for the third series of the show and was seen with Chloe Sims talking about Joey's unique fashion sense

'I finally agreed to go on a date after we bumped into each other coming out of a tanning salon. From then on that was it. I was sold.'

Mario is obviously very protective of her, especially in light of her history with Mark.

'I've never met Mark, but I've got no beef with him. I don't think he'd start on me,' he said.

Getting into the swing: Keeping out of the drama Arg and Jess were seen showing off their moves on the dancefloor

Getting to know the new cast: Gemma and Maria were seen talking to Dino and Georgio and couldn't help but notice the difference in height

I hate all the abuse Lucy gets about what happened between her and Mark. She's the nicest, sweetest girl I know,' Mario confessed.

Incredibly, Mario had never watched an episode of TOWIE until the one off catch up Reem All About It aired a few days before the new series premiere.

I never used to watch TOWIE. But I thought I'd better find out what's been going on. I am nervous about becoming part of it because I know it will change my life,' he admitted.

Mario's girlfriend Lucy had a fling with Mark Wright, pictured in this week's More! magazine

'But I'm determined to keep my feet on the ground. I have a proper job and work nine to five. I'm not going to give that up,' added diligent Mario.

See Mark's newly honed body in this week's more magazine, a TOWIE special, out tomorrow

As a series regular on the other hand, Lucy knows just how difficult life on TOWIE can be.

'It puts a lot of pressure on relationships,' the 20-year-old told TV Biz.

'The show is all about drama and we often do or say things in front of the camera that don't help our personal lives. But I'm really happy with Mario and my fling with Mark is behind me.'

'I'm glad Mario is joining the show. Most of the couples broke up over the summer so it will give something new to the show to have us in it together.'

Other new cast members on last night's show included  Joey's sister Frankie Essex who was seen with her cousin Chloe reviewing Joey's unusual outfit choice.

Next up were buff boys Dino and Georgie, the Greek identical twins who were quick to flash their flesh showing off their toned bodies.

Later the boys were seen chatting to Maria Fowler and Gemma Collins but as the group stood up to dance the height difference between the boys and the girls became clear, with the girls towering above the twins.

Gemma Collins showed off her newly slimmed down figure and was paid several compliments being told by Harry Derbridge and Sam Faiers that she looked like Jennifer Lopez while at the party Arg told her he had mistaken her for Cheryl Cole.

Is that JLo? Before the bash Gemma showed off her newly-slim figure and Harry and Sam told her she had a look of Jennifer Lopez while later that evening Arg said he thought she was Cheryl Cole

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