The fourth series of The Only Way Is Essex, a British semi-reality television programme, began airing on 29 January 2012 on ITV2. also new characters are: Property Developer Georgina Dorsett, James ' Diags' Bennewith, Tom Kilbey and Ricky Rayment. Gemma Collins, Chloe Sims, Lauren Pope, Mario Falcone and Lucy Mecklenburgh were all promoted to the main cast from the 2011 Christmas Special, replacing Mark Wright, Kirk Norcross and Harry Derbidge. Georgio and Dino Georgiades returned for the fourth series after speculation they had been axed alongside Mick Norcross who will return for the first time without his son Kirk Norcross. The fourth series only consisted of 10 episodes concluding on 29 February. The series focused primarily on the relationships of Mario Falcone and Lucy Mecklenburgh, James "Arg" Argent and Lydia Bright, and focused greatly on newcomers Georgina Dorsett and Ricky Rayment, while continuing the format of the previous series. This was also the first series where the opening scenes changed to include silhouettes of the current characters, with the themetune playing on the background.
Episode 1
Lauren reveals she has PIP implants during a discussion about breast surgery with Frankie and Chloe. A new girl arrives, Joey enjoys a night out with his best friend Diags, and Nanny Pat goes on a health kick. Mario talks to Lucy about the respect she has for his bachelor pad, Lydia hopes for a stress-free 21st birthday meal, while Billie and Cara try some new yoga moves - on their dogs.
Episode 2
Mario turns to his dad for relationship advice, Jess and Gemma tap into their spiritual sides, and Lauren Pope spills the beans on a past royal relationship. Joey holds a poker night for some friends, and Chloe jumps at the chance to style for the occasion, while there is a fright in store for the host when he is chased by Mick's chickens.
Episode 3
Following the previous episode's events, Cara visited Lucy to tell her about Mario's texts, which made Lucy even angrier with him. Mario, however, thinks he did nothing wrong and confides in his best friend Little Chris, who tells him he hasn't been himself for a while since being with Lucy. Meanwhile, Joey and Diags take Arg rollerskating to take his mind off Lydia, and Gemma has a gold facial treatment for her birthday party, which she pulls out all the stops for, including persuading Dino and Giorgio to paint themselves gold and stand outside the venue, acting as life-size Oscar trophies. Later on in the night, Gemma holds an award ceremony, aptly named the Gemmas, and awards Lydia "Best Dressed Female", and Joey "Best Dressed Male". Excusing themselves from the party, Georgina and Lauren P have a chat in the bathroom, with Georgina telling Lauren about how Mario has been calling her and asking her to go to dinner with him, despite him having a girlfriend, but turning him down. Then, Lucy came out of a toilet stall, said, "But still you're texting a guy who you know has a girlfriend," before leaving the bathroom, leaving Georgina and Lauren stunned. Lucy approaches Mario to talk to him about everything she's heard, but Mario defends himself. At the end, he gives her his new number, and she takes it, before walking away.