A comedian has responded angrily after been approached to appear in hit series The Only Way Is Essex for expenses only.

Ian Lane received an email from TOWIE’s makers Lime Pictures asking him if he would like to appear in an open mic comedy event which would be featured in the show. 

The plan was for filming to take place on October 16 with a location in Stanford-Le-Hope pencilled in. They did not, however, mention a fee. Lane was told that they would be able to cover travel expenses and he would receive a credit on their website for taking part. He was also offered the chance to “have photos with the cast if you wish!” 

Lane was unimpressed with the invitation, pointing out that cast member Joey Essex  is “paid more than just a return journey on a C2C train,” and adding that he will have to turn down the offer and instead use “my time to further my own film career by continuing work on my documentary, Clapton of Slapton?, in which I ask the public to name their favourite onomatopoeic town names that end with 'ton'."

He concluded by writing: “Send my regards to Joey, the only man I know who was born to shag in oil (presumably this is how he mainatins his lustrous hair?)