Mark Wright finally puts Lauren Goodger out of her misery and proposes on The Only Way Is Essex

By
Andrea Magrath
Last updated at 3:42 PM on 23rd March 2011

They’ve been on, they’ve been off, and now they’re about to be on again – and it looks like this time it’s for good… on camera, anyway.

Mark Wright is to propose to his long-suffering on/off girlfriend Lauren Goodger on tonight’s episode of The Only Way Is Essex.

After ten years, and countless fights and tearful declarations of love on the first season of the reality series, the Essex lothario will finally present Miss Goodger with a large diamond ring.

Will you marry me? Mark Wright is to propose to his long-suffering on/off girlfriend Lauren Goodger on The Only Way Is Essex

Sparkler: The lothario presents Miss Goodger with a large diamond ring on tonight’s show

On the season premiere on Sunday night fans saw Mark tell another of his love interests, glamour model Sam Faiers, that he was going to try and make a go of it with Lauren.

The 23-year-old has often said that if he were to put Lauren out of her misery and get back together with her, that it would mean marriage.

Throughout the last series Mark toyed with his ex’s emotions as he flaunted a relationship with 19-year-old Lucy Mecklenburgh and a fling with Miss Faiers, 20, in front of her.

It’s about time: Lauren appears thrilled to finally have her man back

During a break from filming he also upped his profile by dating Playboy model and I’m A Celebrity contestant Kayla Collins, who has since returned to the US.

Despite his philandering, Lauren remained loyal to Wright, insisting
that they still loved each other and that they continued to see each
other behind his new girlfriends’ backs.

And her patience has paid off, as on the season premiere Mark appeared to have had a change of heart.

He was filmed discussing Lauren with the female members of his family – sister Jessica, his mother and grandmother Nanny Pat.

Moving on: Mark’s ex-girlfriend Lucy Mecklenburgh was spotted on a date last night with new cast member Joey Essex

No tears: The 19-year-old is wasting no time pining for Wright, but admits she still ‘despises’ Lauren

He was also shown looking forlorn on a night out when he realised Lauren was a no-show.

Her absence seemed to make up Mark’s mind, and the episode ended with him confiding in Sam Faiers that he wanted to settle down with Lauren, meaning their casual relationship would be coming to an end.

To the backdrop of Adele’s emotional track Someone Like You, Mark attempted to break the news to Sam but ended up ‘beating around the bush’ before managing to announce his plans.

Breaking hearts: Mark confided to love interest Sam Faiers in the last episode that he wanted to make a go of it with Lauren

Sitting in a private area of Brentwood’s Sugar Hut nightclub, Mark told
Sam: ‘I’ve seen other girls since I last met Lauren and me and you have
got close and you know I’ve always got on with you.

‘I just wanted this opportunity to say this to you because I feel that no girl deserves me to explain myself to them more than you do because you’re more special than that.’

A clearly frustrated Sam urged Mark: ‘Don’t beat around the bush. So we don’t talk after this, no?’

And Mark replied: ‘I’m 24 now and I just want to change. I think I want
to take it to the next step in the way of making a go of it with Lauren.
I’ve been messing around for too long.’

Female advice: Mark discussed his relationship with his sister, mother and grandmother on the last episode

Following Mark’s rejection, Sam was seen walking off into the night  looking dejected and upset.

Another of Mark’s exes has wasted no time in moving on though.

Lucy Mecklenburgh was pictured out on a date with new cast member Joey Essex last night.

In the season premiere the club promoter was filmed admiring Lucy on a night out.

While she’s wasting no time pining over her ex-boyfriend, Lucy still appears to hold a grudge over Lauren’s treatment of her.

Catfights: Mark flaunted his relationship with Lucy in front of Lauren during season one, causing her to lash out at the young brunette

Lucy told the current issue of Zoo magazine: ‘I still detest her, even more so.

‘She continues to slag me off to everyone. I’ll see her out and it’s just like being on the show.

‘She even gets jealous if her friends start talking to me. I just think, “You’re 24. Get over it”.’

It appears as though Lauren has finally won her man back, but whether this reunion will outlast the cameras remains to be seen.

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Boys day out: Mark was pictured enjoying a round of golf with his best friend Jack Tweed this week