THE Only Way Is Essex star Jordan Wright has died aged 33 – as heartbreaking tributes pour in for the beloved ITV personality.
The Brit TV star and ex-boyfriend of Vicky Pattison was found dead in a drainage canal on the holiday island of Phuket, Thailand, on Saturday.
Wright, from Basildon, Essex, was found by a Burmese worker in a drainage ditch before cops were alerted.
He was reportedly captured on CCTV pacing erratically outside a hotel shortly before he was discovered at around 12:30pm local time.
The star – who had moved to Thailand just weeks ago – was best known for his appearances in season 22 and 23 of ITV’s The Only Way Is Essex, both of which aired in 2018.
Local police rushed to the scene where he was found near Bang Tao Beach before confirming they found no signs of physical assault or a struggle.
His new iPhone 17 had also been left on the bank nearby.
Authorities found a Hotel COCO Phuket Bangtao key card in his pocket.
This led them to review footage and gather information from the hotel’s security cameras.
Employees told police he had checked in alone and was due to check out on March 13 – one day before he was found.
An autopsy is being carried out to determine his exact cause of death and whether alcohol or drugs were involved.
Wright became a Towie fan-favourite for his flirty relationship with Courtney Green.
This led to him becoming part of the show’s first-ever on-screen fight with her ex-boyfriend, Myles Barnett.
But Wright originally rose to fame starring in eight episodes of Ex On The Beach in 2017.
Heartbreaking tributes have poured in for the late TV icon – with one pal calling him a “really special soul”.
Several reality TV figures have paid their respects to Jordan online, including his The Only Way is Essex co-stars.
Fellow Towie star Chloe Brockett wrote in an emotional tribute “Rest in peace Jordan” followed by a red heart emoji.
While Love Island star Chloe Crowhurst also took to the comments, penning “Rest in peace Jord” with a white heart and cloud emoji.
Before Wright was named, an FCDO spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities”.
In the weeks before his tragic death, Wright had posted on Instagram pictures of himself in Thailand, explaining how he had relocated there seeking a “fresh start”.
His final post showed him in an idyllic swimming pool smiling as he held a glass of champagne.
The image was captioned: “I’m Home.”
Wright had also previously revealed how he quit fame to return to firefighting – his job before he became a star.
In 2023, he said he had been left “hugely unfulfilled” by TV, and instead landed a new position as a fireman once again.
Local Police Chief Sutthirak Chuthong previously confirmed that the body had been identified as a British national.
He added that Wright’s hotel had been unable to contact him, saying: “A search of the room revealed no signs of forced entry or other irregularities.”
Lieutenant Colonel Thongchai Matitham added: “At around 12.30pm on Saturday, March 14, a worker from Myanmar harvesting morning glory vegetables came across the body and alerted the police station.”
He added: “An iPhone 17 was discovered on the bank nearby and had not fallen into the water.
“We later found a key card for the COCO Hotel in his pocket, which helped us identify him as Jordan Wright.
“No other valuables were found, and the deceased was not wearing shoes.”
Matitham added: “CCTV footage showed that he appeared restless and was moving back and forth in front of the hotel before leaving the area