'I need to get away' Lucy Mecklenburgh LEAVES TOWIE in shock Christmas special

WE were hoping for some drama in last night's TOWIE Christmas special and boy, it did not disappoint.

KISS OFF: Lucy gives Mario a smooch before leaving the show [ITV]

In just one episode, viewers seen Lucy Mecklenburgh face off with love rival Pascal Craymer, get dumped by Tom Pearce, and LEAVE the show after an emotional chat with Mario Falcone.

In a dramatic night for poor Lucy, The Only Way Is Essexmas seen the gang coming together for a festive bash.

But a spanner was thrown in the works for Lucy when bizarrely, her friend Ferne McCann invited Pascal along for the party.

Pascal tried to clear the air with Lucy straight away, mentioning that Ferne had invited her, but the Essex sexpot was a little less easy breezy about the situation.

OH DRAMATIC NIGHT: Lucy has a tough time in the Essexmas special [ITV]

VERY HOT TUB: Pascal and Tom took to the tub for some flirting [ITV]

She said: "Ferne can invite you, but why did you come? These are my friends."

But when new girl Pascal told Luce that Mario took her home after sneaking off to tell his ex that he still loved her, the tension melted and it seems Miss Mecklenburgh has switched to Team Craymer.

Well, she was for a few minutes anyway.

The truce was immediately off when the gang took to the hot tub, and a steamy flirting session broke out between Pascal and Lucy's ex Tom.

While hands were flying in the tub, Lucy spotted the sexy antics, and later visited Tom in his room for a cry on his shoulder.

NEW GIRL IN TOWN: Pascal is creating quite a stir [ITV]

But Tom, who was under the impression that Lucy slept with Mario after he brought her home after a boozy night in Brentwood, spurned her advances.

The babe admitted that her treatment of him during their relationship was wrong, saying: "You know I care about you. My head's just a mess. I promise I didn't ask Mario to stay..."

However, all that drama came to a head when Lucy headed outside to talk to her cheating ex Mario.

After the pair mulled over restarting their relationship, Lucy dropped a bombshell– that she was leaving the TOWIE gang, for a while at least.

EMOTIONAL: Lucy apologises to Tom for her treatment of him [ITV]

She said: "The only way I can conclude this is if I go away for a bit. I need to get away for a bit. It's the only way we can move on. This is it. See you later."

After planting a kiss on Mario, the stunner left the party silently, bidding goodbye to the show.

It's unclear whether Meck is gone for good, but her Twitter seems to be a clear indication that 2014 will be Lucy-less on the show.

She tweeted: "I'm so proud to have been part of such a successful show for 10 series... Now it's time for some exciting new projects. It's all about 2014!"

THE FINAL CHAT: Lucy will be leaving her girls next series [ITV]