A new chippy dedicated to The Only Way is Essex was the subject of a prank call from a Radio One DJ.

The Only Way is Fish, in Fyfield Road, Chipping Ongar, was opened by Francesca Clark ten weeks ago.

After spotting the shop, which opened 10 weeks ago, Scott Millls decided to incorporate it into his daily show.

He called the shop and spoke to bamboozled co-owner Kevin Gibbons and subjected him to a grilling on the chip shop’s name.

Mills asked: “Is the only way is fish? Why is the only way not up? Why isn’t the only way sausage, or pie and mash?

After initially defending the claim made in the shop’s name, Mr Gibbons was asked to explain why he didn’t name the fish dishes after TOWIE characters, with Mills referencing star of the show, Lauren Pope, and asking “where is Lauren Pollock?”

Initially bewildered, staff took the incident when it emerged who was calling.

“It was really funny in the end,” Mrs Clark said.

Mrs Clark, 34, worked as a full-time mum before deciding to combine her love of all things TOWIE with her passion for fish and chips.

She said: “I am a big fan of the program and I always watch it when I get time.

“The shop is very cheesy and many people laugh about it but it’s something a bit different.”

“It is very blingy and glitzy, it doesn’t look like your traditional fish and chip shop.

“The colour theme is purple and black, just like TOWIE, with lots of glittery tiles inside.”

As well as offering traditional fresh fish, made to order, the shop sells pie and mash, freshly battered scallops, cod bites and chicken nuggets in curry sauce.

Mrs Clark plans to continue learning her trade in Ongar for the moment, but when asked if she plans to expand into an Essex-wide franchise, she said: “I would love to. Never say never.”

Other TOWIE-related businesses in Essex include The Only Way is Bikinis in Romford, The Only Way is Tanning in Hornchurch and The Only Way is Knitting in Brentwood.