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(Image: Instagram/ Sam Mucklow)

Sam Mucklow, the brother of former The Only Way Is Essex star Billi Mucklow, is said to have joined the show ahead of its return to ITVBe.

The star apparently flew out out to Italy this week to film with his new co-stars Dan Edgar, Pete Wicks and Georgia Kousoulou.

The new series of TOWIE will see the gang getting up to all sorts on the island of Sardinia, following the news that they won't be filming in their beloved Marbella this year.

(Image: ITVBe)

(Image: Instagram/ Sam Mucklow)

Sam has plenty of connections to the hit show, and joins five years after his older sister Billi left the cast after a six series stint.

He's also dating Nicole Bass, who briefly appeared on the series, though she is reportedly not joining him in Italy.

A TV source told The Sun: "[Sam] and Nicole have been together for five months now so if he impresses no doubt he'll bring her with him.

(Image: Instagram/ Sam Mucklow)

"He's been up for the show for a couple of years but the time hasn’t been right."

They added to the publication: "He's really good friends with Tommy Mallet and now is a good time for him to join."

TOWIE was recently confirmed to be returning on Sunday 2 September, and the cast were seen landing in Sardinia earlier this week.

(Image: Instagram/Tommy Mallet)

Not all the stars were keen on heading to Italy, however, as an insider claims they were hoping for a more glamorous location.

A source explained: "Every year, the cast beg producers to go to LA or Miami or Dubai, so when they heard it was Italy, some cast were furious because they think there are much more fun places to film.

"Only half the cast are going too – even though it's not going to be wild clubbing and nights out, they're all desperate to go! Nobody wants to be left at home."