Not too down in the dumps, then? Lauren Pope beams with delight as she's seen for the first time since quitting TOWIE after five years 

By Helen Turnbull And Emily Sheridan For Mailonline

Published: 04:38 EST, 21 October 2015 | Updated: 05:41 EST, 21 October 2015

She was one of the handful of remaining originals.

But TOWIE's Lauren Pope couldn't have looked happier as she was pictured for the first time since deciding to quit the show which propelled her into the spotlight five years ago.

Lauren, 33, beamed with delight as she was spotted leaving her management's office in London on Tuesday evening.

Scroll down for video

Happy with her decision: TOWIE's Lauren Pope beamed with delight as she was pictured for the first time since deciding to quit the show which propelled her into the spotlight five years ago on Tuesday

Happy with her decision: TOWIE's Lauren Pope beamed with delight as she was pictured for the first time since deciding to quit the show which propelled her into the spotlight five years ago on Tuesday

The fashion designer employed a Seventies theme to her outfit which comprised blue flared jeans and white lace-up blouse, featuring billowing sleeves.

Her hair was as enviably sleek as always - possibly due to the addition of her own silk Hair Rehab extensions - and she sported a full face of make-up.

Lauren was evidently pleased with her decision to quit the Essex-based ITVBe reality show at the end of the current series as she emerged from her agent's office, presumably after a meeting with her team, smiling from ear-to-ear.

That '70s Show: Lauren, 33, employed a Seventies theme to her look and sported a pair of blue flared jeans and a white lace-up blouse which featured billowing sleeves
That '70s Show: Lauren, 33, employed a Seventies theme to her look and sported a pair of blue flared jeans and a white lace-up blouse which featured billowing sleeves

That '70s Show: Lauren, 33, employed a Seventies theme to her look and sported a pair of blue flared jeans and a white lace-up blouse which featured billowing sleeves

A weight off her mind: The fashion designer and DJ couldn't hide her happiness after presumably meeting with her team to discuss life after TOWIE

A weight off her mind: The fashion designer and DJ couldn't hide her happiness after presumably meeting with her team to discuss life after TOWIE

The Only Way Is Up: Lauren has chosen to cut ties with the Essex-based ITVBe reality series due to the international expansion of her business empire

The Only Way Is Up: Lauren has chosen to cut ties with the Essex-based ITVBe reality series due to the international expansion of her business empire

Earlier in the evening, MailOnline learned of Lauren's decision to quit The Only Way Is Essex after appearing in 16 series. 

The glamour model-turned-DJ, has chosen to leave as she's been finding it increasingly difficult to juggle filming with her expanding business empire which includes a hair range, a clothing collection with InTheStyle and national DJ gigs.

A source close to the show told MailOnline: 'Lauren has decided to leave as her business ventures are demanding too much of her time.

The world's her oyster: Lauren cannot afford to dedicate the time required of show bosses and run her various business. Here she is pictured last week at fellow InTheStyle designer Binky Felstead's collection launch 

The world's her oyster: Lauren cannot afford to dedicate the time required of show bosses and run her various business. Here she is pictured last week at fellow InTheStyle designer Binky Felstead's collection launch 

'Her various businesses are doing really well and she's expanding internationally and just can't afford to give the time that TOWIE requires.'

After five years next month, it seems it's the right time for Lauren to say goodbye when the current series ends before Christmas.

The source added: 'Lauren's had a great time on the show, but she feels it's the right time to move on. Producers would love her to stay, but she wants to focus on her businesses.'

Lauren was already a successful DJ before joining the cast and her Hair Rehab London company is going from strength to strength, having already been sold on the high street and now internationally. 

So much as changed: Lauren - who was once a glamour model - has changed - both facially and stylistically in the five years since first appearing on the show. Here she is pictured in a promotional shot for the programme in 2011 

So much as changed: Lauren - who was once a glamour model - has changed - both facially and stylistically in the five years since first appearing on the show. Here she is pictured in a promotional shot for the programme in 2011 

She'll be missed: Lauren and good friend James 'Diags' Bennewith in a scene from the current series

She'll be missed: Lauren and good friend James 'Diags' Bennewith in a scene from the current series

With Lauren's departure, it means that Jessica Wright, James 'Arg' Argent, Lydia Bright and Nanny Pat are the only original cast-members remaining.

After joining the cast in Series One as a love interest and eventual girlfriend to Kirk Norcross in November 2010, Lauren has had quite the roller coaster ride.

In 2014, she and best friend Chloe Sims had a long drawn-out fall out shortly before she introduced long-time pal Vas J Morgan to the cast this year.

During her five-year stint, Lauren enjoyed on-screen romances with Tom Pearce, Lewis Bloor and Dan Edgar.

End of an era: One of Lauren's first ever TOWIE appearances in November 2010, where she discussed DJing at the Sugar Hut with Kirk Norcross, who she eventually dated

End of an era: One of Lauren's first ever TOWIE appearances in November 2010, where she discussed DJing at the Sugar Hut with Kirk Norcross, who she eventually dated

Comments (49)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now