Russell Tovey has said that he is "obsessed" with The Only Way is Essex.
The 33-year-old explained that he likes watching the ITVBe programme as it's good research as an actor.
Another fight erupts on the set of TOWIE, stars pulled apart by staff
The Banished star told Heat magazine: "I am obsessed with TOWIE. I love it.
"I watched the new series the other night. I love Chloe Sims just having a go at everyone.
"People who don't like it and think that it depicts Essex in a bad way, this is just about a certain group of people, not everyone who comes from Essex. But I totally love the show anyway."
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He continued: "There was a scene the other night where she was talking to Ferne [McCann] about losing her baby - that was a genuine moment caught on camera.
"That's why I love the show so much. As an actor, in a weird way, it's research. It's raw emotion that can't be faked. Those moments are superb, which is why I'm obsessed with it."
Tovey, who described James 'Arg' Argent as "the Ian Beale of TOWIE", also revealed that he was "gutted" when the cast ignored him at the BAFTAs.
"Being Human was nominated for a Bafta the year TOWIE won one, so I was there that night.
"I remember when they won I stood up and cheered. And I was the only one there who did.
"Then they walked past me and ignored me and I was gutted. I get star-struck when I see them. I saw Harry Derbidge recently in a club and I kissed him hello, and later he said on Twitter that he met me. I was so chuffed.
"And I met Lydia once and she said she was following me on Twitter, and it was like the best day of my life!"
