Reality television personality Lauren Goodger has revealed a significant falling out with her "The Only Way Is Essex" (TOWIE) co-star, Junaid Ahmed. The dispute occurred while filming the ITV series in Albania, leading Goodger to declare their friendship "done."
Goodger, 39, was abroad to film the series, leaving her daughter Larose at home. She stated that Junaid, who recently got engaged to Joe Blackman, exhibited "diva" behavior and caused her distress during a "terrible" argument. "I just felt like he wasn't really there for me, as a friend, nowhere to be seen. He was on one, being a diva," Goodger told The Sun. She emphasized her consistent support for Junaid and Blackman, even against other cast members, highlighting her feeling of betrayal when their friendship soured.
Junaid and Blackman became engaged on TOWIE last month after a two-year relationship, a pairing that reportedly divided some of their castmates. Blackman previously dated Harry Derbridge, and his subsequent relationship with Junaid caused considerable friction among the cast. Goodger had reportedly stood by Junaid until the argument.
"I couldn't be around it. I was really upset," Goodger recounted. "I didn't know where it was going to go – I left it on… the relationship is done. It was terrible. Really terrible."
She further explained the emotional toll of the incident, stating, "I didn't know if I was ever going to be alright with him again, because I was in such a vulnerable situation. I don't like going away, let alone without my daughter. It was a big step for me and I just felt like I didn't need to be shouted at."
Despite the conflict, Goodger indicated that she is still friends with Junaid and is anticipating seeing how the events unfold on the show. The new season of TOWIE launched on August 2 and airs Sundays and Mondays on ITV2 and ITVX.
In separate personal revelations, Goodger has also spoken about her body image struggles and past surgeries, including a Brazilian bum lift in 2017 and breast enlargement in 2013. She previously discussed how the trauma of losing her daughter Lorena in July 2022, shortly after birth, contributed to fluctuations in her weight. Goodger also shared that she and ex-partner Charlie Drury experienced two miscarriages after Lorena's death and that their relationship was initially a "trauma bond" before they separated permanently in 2024. Goodger, who also has daughter Larose, four, with Drury, has expressed a desire to have another child in the future, potentially through a sperm donor or adoption if she is single.