A GAGGLE of squealing teenage girls queued outside Nando's, on Brentwood High Street, to steal a kiss from the TOWIE boys in return for a donation to charity.
Mario Falcone, Lil' Chris, Charlie and twins George and Dino Georgiades swapped presents for kisses under the mistletoe on Sunday in aid of St Luke's Hospice, which cares for people with life-limiting illnesses.
Among the fans were friends, Charlotte Topley, 12, from Rayleigh, Chloe Read, 13, from Rowreth and Kia Watson, 14, from Wickford.
Charlotte said: "I just love it, I watch the episodes every week and sometimes more than once because I put them on record."
Chloe, who was celebrating her thirteenth birthday, was even presented with a cake by the cast and they sang happy birthday to her.
She said: "I really like Nando's and I also really like TOWIE so I was really excited to come and meet them here. I really like Mario and can't wait to meet him because he is really funny, and my next-door neighbour goes to the same gym as him and said he is really funny too."
Inside, customers were happily munching on barbecue chicken and chips, while the stars signed autographs.
Singer Lydia Lucy, 19, from Romford, provided the entertainment for the afternoon.
Popular with the girls, Mario Falcone, was the first to leave as he had to get to a pantomime rehearsal, in Worthing.
Mario said: "You don't often get to meet this fan base, so it is really nice, it is cute when they're a bit star-struck. I really enjoyed coming. We are filming so often that it is a shame we can't do more things like this that helps out our local charities.
"And the boys love Nando's anyway, so it is a bit of a touch."
Donning Santa hats each printed with their name, George, Dino and Charlie stood at the entrance with collection buckets and greeted people as they arrived.
George said: "For us it is a way for local businesses like ourselves to build good relationships with Nandos.
"Even though we are not on the show anymore, and so people maybe do not want to meet us, we will still come down and support the event, of course."
Charlie said: "We are here to get more people to come along and show support for St Luke's hospice, and if we can do that just by being on TOWIE, then why not?
"It kills three birds with one stone by being here.
"I see myself as a member of the public, just like anyone else, to be honest I see it as a real privilege to be on the show, and be able to make a difference in this way."
Dino added: "We really are just normal members of the public.
"We all work for a living and suddenly we are put into the limelight on a TV show.
"It really has been crazy, people coming up to you in cities all over the country knowing who you are."
Waiting excitably outside wasGeorgina Hawes, 17, from Brentwood.
She said: "I was so excited to meet everyone.
"I just love TOWIE. I even put four pounds in the charity bucket because I was that happy.
"I cannot wait to meet Lil' Chris. He hasn't come out yet but he is my favourite."
Lil' Chris, who was inside devouring his plate of chicken said: "We are lovers of Nando's, and it's Christmas time, of course we'd come down to help.
"I was actually given a present directly and I thought it was for me, so I was about to open it before someone told me it was for St.Luke's.
"In truth, the show has only done good things for everyone involved.
"I was told the economy of Brentwood has gone up 100 per cent since the show started.
"It has raised all our profiles and allowed us to set up our own businesses outside of the show."
Spokeswoman for Nando's, Natalie Gunning, organised the event with one of the store managers, Kirsty Little.
Natalie said: "We are always thinking up ideas to help local charities. We are a local business so we should be looking to do something positive for the community.
"It is Christmas, after all, and we thought these children would really love to get a present at this time of the year."
