Big Brother’s Brian Belo to sue TOWIE

He threatened to sue the makers behind hit TV show The Only Way Is Essex last year.

And now former Big Brother winner Brian Belo has kept to his word after filing papers to seek an injunction to have it taken off air.

The 24-year-old has filed a lawsuit against ITV and producer Lime Pictures for allegedly stealing the idea for the show from his creation Totally Essex.

Chiefs behind the show have vehemently denied his claims, but as part of the writ he lodged in the High Court Belo is seeking an injunction to ban the show from being screened, until the lawsuit is settled.

He’s reportedly seeking compensation of £100,000, but other reports suggest he may be in line for as much as £4million.

Brian, who won Big Brother in 2007, issued a High Court writ earlier this month alleging copyright infringement and a ‘breach of confidence’ from TOWIE makers.

The reality TV star, along with co-claimants Sassy Films and Massive TV who created the format, alleges he pitched a pilot episode for a programme titled Totally Essex.

And in the clip TOWIE stars including Mark Wright, Amy Childs, Kirk Norcross and Sam Faiers are seen talking about their lavish lifestyles in Essex.

They have since appeared on TOWIE and become huge stars, with Mark, Amy and Kirk and leaving to pursue other endeavours.

Brian is asking for the next series of the programme, which is due to air next month, to be prevented from being screened until he gives permission for it to do so.

And he will only reportedly grant permission once they have agreed a suitable financial agreement.

The Essex born lad reportedly has a string of texts and emails between himself and heads at Lime Pictures to prove he was the creator.

And he also allegedly has a contract from 2010 requesting that he signs over the rights to the programme for £2,500.

Last year he said: ‘I worked on the idea for two years, I got the cast together and pitched to the production companies.

‘I’m very proud of its success. I want people to know where it came from.’

And this morning he tweeted: ‘Woke-up this morning and thought shuuuuut-up. Thank-you for all the messages of support.. Sings: “..If there’s any justice in the world” x.’

But despite now being sued over his claims, ITV and Lime Pictures have denied he came up with the concept.

A joint statement reads: ‘The Only Way Is Essex is an original concept created and developed by an award-winning team at Lime Pictures.

‘Brian Belo’s claim against Lime and ITV is totally without foundation and will be vigorously defended.

‘The creative team at Lime Pictures is very proud of TOWIE, and the notion that it was not entirely their own work is a serious allegation which is completely refuted.’