Lydia Bright reveals the REAL reason why she's leaving TOWIE

I feel like my time has naturally come to an end - I've been so busy with other projects. It's all about taking chances and moving on to new things. I just need to take some time out

She's been a familiar face on the UK's most talked about reality show for seven years - now Lydia Bright is leaving TOWIE.

She said her time on the show had come to a 'natural end' and denied any link between her decision to quit and former flame James ‘Arg’ Argent's comeback.

She told Lorraine: "I didn’t realise he was even returning, and when that press surfaced I called him and said, 'I haven’t stropped off because you’re coming back!'."

She did admit, however, that the couple had been through a lot during their on/off relationship, but she wants to look back on it fondly: "I remember coming on here and saying we’d be together forever, and then six months later saying we’re off! But I don’t want to have bitter memories".

Lydia has just released her new book Live, Laugh, Love, Always, Lydia - filled with her lifestyle tips, dating rules and beauty ideas.