The path to true love never does run smoothly, as Mark Wright and Lauren Goodger know all too well.
Once upon a time they were golden couple of reality TV, their relationship serving as the focal point for an equally golden period in the history of long-running reality show The Only Way Is Essex.
But twelve years after ending their decade long relationship, the pair are at vastly different points in their personal and professional lives, with Mark recently confirming wife Michelle Keegan's first pregnancy.
Meanwhile Lauren has already adjusted to parenthood, having welcomed daughter Larose with ex-partner Charles Drury in 2021.
During their tumultuous relationship, Mark was repeatedly portrayed as a womaniser - with some justification - following a series of flings, notably with co-stars Sam Faiers and Lucy Mecklenburgh.
His antics would lead to a series of fiery encounters that boosted ratings and helped the show earn a controversial BAFTA Award.
Mark Wright and Lauren Goodger were the golden couple of reality TV during their time on The Only Way Is Essex, but their relationship came to a permanent end in 2012
Twelve years after ending their relationship, the pair are at vastly different points in their personal lives, with Mark recently confirming wife Michelle Keegan's first pregnancy
Meanwhile Lauren has already adjusted to parenthood, having welcomed daughter Larose with partner Charles Drury in 2021
Up to 1.5 million viewers tuned in at the show's peak, eager to watch their relationship go through its death throes before breathing a final breath in 2012.
Who could forget the iconic series two finale, which took an explosive turn when Mark riled Lauren by failing to invite her to his house party, fearing she might make guests feel uncomfortable.
The decision led to inevitable fireworks, with Lauren gatecrashing the party and furiously pushing her former boyfriend into his outdoor pool after a testy confrontation.
Mark and Lauren even got engaged on the show - only for Mark to call things off five months later - and there has been bad blood between the pair ever since.
Lauren later claimed the 'love' she shared with her former boyfriend 'never went away' and admitted she was 'proud' of how Mark had furthered himself from reality star to TV presenter.
Speaking to Married At First Sight UK star Paul Brunson on his new podcast We Need To Talk in September, she said: 'I never ever thought I was going to love anyone else. I was with him for twelve years on and off.
'It wasn't a smooth sailing relationship. We broke up a few months here, got back together, but we grew up together. We grew up.
'He was the love of my life. We wouldn't have stayed together for that long if he didn't have this mutual feeling for me.
Mark developed a reputation as a serial womaniser on TOWIE and would have flings with a number of costars, among them Lucy Mecklenburgh, (second from left) and Sam Faiers, (second from right)
The TV personality with co-star Sam in a 2011 episode of the hit ITV1 show
Who could forget the iconic series two finale, which took an explosive turn when Mark riled Lauren by failing to invite her to his house party - resulting in her pushing him into his own outdoor pool
The TV personality was humiliated, but it didn't stop the couple announcing what would ultimately be a short lived engagement
Mark sparked romance rumours with Australian DJ Emily Scott while appearing alongside her on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2011
But he dismissed the possibility of anything more than a platonic relationship with his former campmate shortly after leaving the jungle
'Emily is a lovely person and a very pretty girl but there is no romantic interest there for me and I am not interested in starting a relationship with her,' he said
