heat chats all things Essex with TOWIE’S Chloe Sims
The TOWIE veteran talks to Caroline Robb about surgery and Essex beef
Having a natter with Chloe Sims is everything you’d want it to be. Fresh from her first day of filming for the new series of The Only Way Is Essex – back on TV this week – she’s warm, friendly and happy to chat about everything from her love life – “I’m more single than I’ve ever been, but I’m not unhappy about it” – to being a mum to daughter Madison, who turns 13 next month. But fear not, she’s also as feisty as she appears on TOWIE, refusing to answer questions about whether she still has Botox (“I’m not going to talk about that, it’s never positive”), if she’s met ex-co-star Ferne Mccann’s baby Sunday (“I don’t want to talk about Ferne”), or how it feels to join the list of reality TV millionaires (“It’s really tacky talking about money”). That’s us told, then!
The 35 year old joined TOWIE seven years ago, way back in series two, and there is nobody in Essex she hasn’t welcomed into her beauty salon, had a bust-up with down at Sugar Hut, or counselled during a dog walk in the rain – the perfect person to have a gossip with, then…
The new series is about to start, but a few of the cast have had the chop, including Amber Dowding, Chris Clark and Mike Hassini. Is there anyone you’re sorry to see go?
Not particularly. The cast is always changing, I’ve seen a lot of people come and go. And some I’ve been really close to – family members – so it’s not going to affect me as much as that.
Does it make you worry your time could be up if you don’t bring the drama?
I’m pretty sure I’ve earned my place! I’ve done the most episodes of any cast member ever. I’m not shaking in my boots, put it that way.
You’ve not had a serious on-screen romance since Elliott Wright a few years ago. Is that deliberate?
It’s not, it’s just not happened. I know there have been cast members that I believe have
forced it a bit. Unless I fall for somebody, I won’t be able to fake it. It’s a bit different for me, where I am that little bit older – it’s not so often you get somebody in my age bracket. Had there been a couple of hot guys in their forties… But, unfortunately, they’re all like little brothers to me.
Everybody thinks Dan Edgar is gorgeous. He is, right?
Dan is a classic – tall, dark and handsome. He’s such a lovely guy, I love Dan.
So…
Well, we do say in ten years, we might get married. We made a pact a year ago in Ibiza. But I also say the same thing to Diags, so you know I’m lining them all up! I always say if I could mix Dan and Diags together and add ten years, that would be my perfect man.
What about your relationship with Pete Wicks? Some people say that you can’t be this good friends with a guy…
We both laugh about that. I think me and Pete have got an unusual relationship. We are very close, but we are seriously just friends. We can both appreciate each other’s looks and compliment each other a lot, but as far as sexual chemistry goes, it’s just not there. We’ve got everything but that.
You were on a few weeks ago, but you said your 24-year-old date was way too young. What’s your age limit?
Take Me Out I haven’t got strict rules, because who knows what will happen? I might end up with a younger guy, I can’t rule that out. But the thing that freaks me out about 24 year olds is that I just think of people in my family who are that age – that’s younger than [her cousin] Joey Essex! I treat him like a child. I wouldn’t be able to be attracted to someone that young, I don’t want to feel like a mum. Also, women’s looks do start fading and I feel like I’d be insecure to go out with someone young – I don’t want to be insecure for the rest of my life about someone. I want to be with someone who’s proud to be with me.
Have you tried any dating apps?
A friend of mine from the States told me about one called Raya [an exclusive dating app for creatives and celebrities with a big social media following]. She set it all up for me, but they didn’t accept me. I don’t know what I did to upset them! That was my first and last thing I did with a dating app.
You look really glam on Instagram, but your make-up-free picture got loads of likes…
I did get a lot of positive feedback for that selfie. The problem is that I work in TV – it would be unrealistic to expect me to film with no make-up. It always baffles me when people say, “Oh my God you’re so much better natural.” I’m not asking for someone to tell me I look better natural – I’m fine with both ways.
You’ve admitted to having a boob job, plus Botox and fillers in the past, but how do you feel about the new trend for men having surgery? Everyone in Essex seems to be having a hair transplant – is that a good or bad thing?
I think it’s good that it’s more acceptable now. If it’s OK for us women to get little bits and pieces done, why isn’t it OK for guys? If it’s something that’s going to make you feel better, regardless of whether you’re a man or a woman, you should be able to do it. Also, there’s always been a lot of guys who will be like, “Oh, I don’t like women who do that or have fake boobs.” So, maybe it will stop them being so judgemental.
Everyone on TOWIE seems to come to you for advice. What advice would you give your good friend Gemma Collins – is Arg really her Mr Right?
Aren’t we all looking for the perfect guy? It’s not unusual that Gemma hasn’t found her one – I don’t know anyone who has lately. I haven’t even been to a wedding in years. I think that she shouldn’t stress about it – it’s actually not that easy to find a decent man.
Lauren Goodger has said she’ll use a sperm donor if she doesn’t find the right guy…
I think that if she’s ready and she feels it’s the best thing for her to do, then yeah, go for it. Why not? I think you should do what’s right for yourself.
Will Tommy Mallet and Georgia Kousoulou be heading up the aisle this series?
Tommy and Georgia are definitely not in a rush to get married, and they don’t feel the need to do everything really quickly just because they’re on TV. They’re in a really strong relationship and have faced their ups and downs
‘I want to be with a man who’s proud to be with me’
like anybody else, but they don’t sell it – they keep a bit back for themselves. I think that’s why their relationship is so successful – they’re very good at giving away enough, but not everything. If I got in a relationship on TV, I would hope I could learn something from them and keep something back.
Who is it that you turn to when you need advice?
I speak to Pete a lot, off camera, about serious things. Things like insurance. Pete is kind of a guru when it comes to things like that.
Pete’s an insurance guru? Who knew?
He’s actually really intelligent – he has a business degree. He’s good with financial advice!
You really clashed with Pete’s ex Megan Mckenna – are you glad not to be filming with her any more?
I don’t really think about it any more, I’m over it. I haven’t got any bad feelings towards anybody that I’ve fallen out with from the show. I don’t think about any of those people on a daily basis.
So, you don’t think it would be awkward if you bumped into her?
Errrrrrm, I don’t think it would be awkward for me. I can’t speak on her behalf.
Have you met Pete’s new girlfriend [model Shelby Tribble]? Is it true that she’s joining the TOWIE cast?
I don’t think that you can call her his girlfriend yet. I know that they’ve been dating and I have spoken to him about her, but I haven’t met her.
You’ve been on the show for seven years – are you up for another seven?
I don’t really know. The years just keep flying by, and I’m so comfortable in TOWIE – it’s like a family. While I’m still youthful-looking and single, why wouldn’t I carry on? I’ll do it as long as it’s there.
Will your daughter be in this series?
She has appeared a couple of times before, very briefly. But, because of her age, I’m obviously really protective. It would depend on what the scene was, how comfortable she was with it. I do tend to keep that part of my life shielded – I don’t believe in selling your child’s soul to the media.
Is there any way you can persuade Joey to come back for a guest appearance?
I have spoken to him about that on many occasions. He’s really busy, but he would love to come back and have a laugh, see his mates. Diags is his childhood friend. I know that he does miss it. I’d never say never.
Would you like to do any more reality TV?
I have been offered the jungle, but it didn’t happen for whatever reason, which I’m not going to go into. I’m a massive fan of Big
Brother, too, but doing either of those shows means leaving my daughter, and it’s really important that I’m there for her. I wouldn’t be able to not speak to her for three or four weeks. I’d like to do Celebs
Go Dating. I’d actually like to do a show that would allow me to come home after work and be with my daughter. Madison needs her mum. TOWIE returns on Sunday 25 March at 9pm on ITVBE