TELLY’S Mario Falcone has been suspended from The Only Way Is Essex after film
emerged appearing to show him snorting cocaine.
Furious Towie bosses have today banned the 26-year-old, who allegedly took the
drug in a pal’s kitchen after a night out, from appearing in the reality
show’s Marbella special.
The cast flew out to Spain yesterday to begin shooting the Marbs episodes –
but a statement from Towie confirmed: “Mario will not be taking part in
filming in Marbella while this matter is looked into.”
Mario is said to have snorted the drug in front of friends who were apparently
amazed that he would dare to act so brazenly.
A source claimed: “We had been out as a group and wanted to carry the party
on.
“Mario had his own ideas on how to do that, though.
“He just started snorting this stuff in front of everyone. No one could
believe their eyes.”
Mario is said to have laid out a line of cocaine after going back to the home
of a friend who was on the night out in Essex.
He was filmed as he then used a rolled-up bank note to apparently snort up the
drug.
The video, shot two months ago, has infuriated Towie chiefs, who have been
grooming Mario as the successor to the show’s big-name star, Mark Wright.
Producers take a tough line on drug use. Towie’s James Lock faces the chop
after being charged with possessing illegal drugs in April.
Possession of a Class A drug carries a sentence of up to seven years in jail.
Supplying someone else carries a maximum life sentence and an unlimited
fine.
A source said: “This video could be the end of Mario’s television career.
“He’s become an important part of the show in the last three years but the
show doesn’t make exceptions for anyone when it comes to drugs. He should
know that.
“The show is watched by millions and is in its 11th series now so producers
are certainly in a position where they can drop characters who are more
trouble than they’re worth.”
A friend of Mario’s said last night: “He knows he’s been a silly boy. He does
regret his actions and is sorry.
“It’s now up to show chiefs whether or not he gets suspended or gets the sack.”
Mario’s spokesman last night refused to comment.
Essex-born Mario, brother-in-law to McFly’s Tom Fletcher, has become a key
character since joining Towie in 2011.
He dated co-star Lucy Mecklenburgh and they got engaged on screen during a The
Only Way Is Marbs special in June 2012.
But they called off their engagement during the seventh series of the show
after several rumours about Mario cheating — and Lucy deciding she was too
young to get married.
Their turbulent relationship finally ended off screen in February 2013. During
the ninth series, she threw a glass of wine in his face after finding out he
had twice cheated on her.
Mario also appeared on the 12th series of Celebrity Big Brother — finishing
5th.
In 2011, Mario was cautioned by police after assaulting an 11-year-old boy.
It came after he confronted a group of youths near his home in Essex because
they made lewd references about Lucy.
After grabbing one of the lads by the neck, the police were called and Mario
was arrested and cautioned for assault.
In 2013, Lucy claimed Mario was dating a 16-year-old friend of her little
sister. She told Twitter followers: “Mario Falcone is now taking out my
little sister’s best mate that is 16!! I’m literally disgusted!!”
Mario also caused a storm when he blasted X Factor contestant Rylan Clark —
prompting him to pull out of a special live edition of Towie.
He said: “If he comes on Monday’s live show, that’s fine because it’s all for
charity, but if he comes on Towie as a main character, I’m leaving. We hate
him. He’s a douche bag.”
He said show was ‘scripted’
MARIO has already been in hot water with Towie producers — after he claimed
the show was “scripted.”
He made the comments on Twitter last year during the screening of an episode
about his on-off relationship with Lucy Mecklenburgh.
He said: “The producers are still lying to you all. Coronation Street is more
reality than Towie.”
But a show spokesman said: “Producers maintain a constant dialogue with the
cast to find out what is happening in their lives and then put the cast in
situations to allow these stories to play out.”