The Only Way Is Eighteen! TOWIE cast are sent into a frenzy as ITV change the show's format to a 'living soap' featuring two series of 18 episodes per year rather than three series of 12

It's been on the air since 2010 and has just wrapped its 19th season.

But things are reportedly about to change on the set of TOWIE as ITV has had a re-think on the format of the show.

The producers want to turn it into a 'living soap' and run it for just two seasons per year, cut down from three - but make the seasons longer.

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This would mean that for the first time in the history of the reality series' run, the seasons will feature 18 episodes rather than 12.

While arguably little will actually change, given that in each case it still amounts to 36 episodes per year, the shake-up has reportedly caused a ruckus within the cast.

According to an insider, some have seen the re-format as an excuse to renegotiate their salaries - causing the first spate of in-cast tension - while others have become flustered as it will interfere with their other work commitments.

With cast members known to take on extra gigs, such as Celebrity Big Brother stints or shows such as The Jump and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! committing to a three month chunk of TOWIE at a time - instead of a five week one - could limit this. 

'The decision has left some members of the cast angry as they believe the increase of hours on set will mean that they won’t have time to fulfil their other promotional and branding work,' the source told The Sun on Thursday.

They continued: 'Some cast members are also concerned that the demands will be too grueling so have asked for a pay rise as they feel that if producers want them to work as soap stars then they want to be paid like soap stars.'

The series would surely not like to lose its long-running stars, especially as Danielle Armstrong filmed her last episode recently, aired as the Christmas special, and other notable cast members have teetered out along the way such as Amy Childs, Mark Wright and Joey Essex.

On the other hand, the show has seen certain cast members return to the fold after disappearing for a while, such as Lydia Bright and Lauren Goodger. 

According to The Sun's report, a member of the show's production team has hit back against the cast's concerns and declared that the new format is in fact better for their schedules. 

'The new schedule gives them longer periods off filming and a break mid-series so is much better for them being able to undertake other work,' they said.

An official rep from ITVBe told MailOnline that the format will indeed change as of 2017.

'Next year viewers can look forward to two extended series of The Only Way Is Essex on ITVBe, giving fans even more insight and access into the cast's lives and loves.

'The move has been made as we felt this would suit the viewers, with a lengthier run giving the series greater momentum and buzz, and allowing the viewers to get more fully immersed in the casts' stories

'There is no unrest amongst the cast.'