British reality TV personality Jordan Wright was discovered dead in a drainage canal in Phuket, Thailand, authorities said. He was 33.
Wright’s body was found face down in stagnant water near Bang Tao Beach on March 14 at about 12:30 p.m. local time. A Myanmar worker harvesting morning glory vegetables stumbled across the scene and called police. The former “The Only Way Is Essex” star had checked into Hotel COCO Phuket Bangtao alone and never checked out as planned on March 13. His body was located roughly a 20-minute walk from the hotel.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Suthirak Chuthong of the Choeng Thale Police Station said CCTV footage captured Wright’s disturbing final movements. The video reportedly shows him pacing erratically outside his hotel before running off the premises shortly before midnight on March 12. His path eventually led to the remote construction area where his body was later recovered.
New CCTV footage reviewed by investigators reportedly shows Wright running frantically and glancing over his shoulder before making a sharp left at 11:25 p.m. on March 12, roughly 36 hours before his body was found. A family of three staying at a nearby hotel said they saw Wright close to the drainage canal shortly after, shouting and appearing agitated, then heard someone enter the water. Police also say Wright was arguing with an unknown person on his phone during that time and are trying to identify the caller.
Investigators located Wright’s hotel key card in his pocket and his iPhone on the canal bank nearby; the phone had not gone into the water. When found, he was wearing a grey shirt and black trousers but no shoes. His body showed signs of having been in the water for some time. Authorities reported no sign of forced entry in his hotel room, though police have not excluded the possibility of foul play. Lt. Col. Sutthirak Chuthong stated, “The circumstances leading up to the death are quite unclear. It is possible that other people were involved.”
Police estimate Wright had been dead for no more than two days before being discovered. Autopsy results from Vachira Phuket Hospital are awaited to determine the cause of death and whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
Wright made his reality TV debut on MTV’s “Ex on the Beach” in 2017, appearing in eight episodes during the show’s seventh series. In 2018 he joined ITV’s “The Only Way Is Essex,” appearing in 17 episodes across seasons 22 and 23. The chisel‑jawed firefighter became a fan favorite, notably for his flirtatious interactions with cast member Courtney Green.
Wright’s stint on “The Only Way Is Essex” ended suddenly after allegations that he had taken paid sick leave from the London Fire Brigade to film episodes. He returned to firefighting afterward and later moved into financial investment. According to his LinkedIn, his most recent position was director at Hampton Gate Wealth, a London boutique specializing in alternative investments.
Former manager Alex Shafiq recalled Wright warmly, telling the Daily Mail: “He was a fun lad who lit up any room with his smile.” Friends said Wright’s real passion remained DJing, which he continued alongside other pursuits.
Wright relocated to Thailand in December 2025 seeking a fresh start and had told friends he was looking forward to “a very exciting year ahead.” His final Instagram post on March 6 included photos and videos of him in an infinity pool, scuba diving, and exploring Phuket, captioned “I’m Home,” followed by a Thai flag emoji.
The news has devastated Wright’s friends and former colleagues from reality TV. Fellow “The Only Way Is Essex” star Chloe Brockett commented “Rest in peace Jordan” under his final Instagram post. Former castmate Liam “Gatsby” Blackwell wrote: “Miss you already, brother. Glad I got to see you in Thailand a couple of months ago.” Close friend and DJ Stuart Hart called Wright “a really lovely boy, always happy and fun to be around.”
Wright’s time on “The Only Way Is Essex” included one of the show’s most explosive confrontations. His flirtation with Courtney Green led to a violent clash with her then-boyfriend Myles Barnett, who threw a smoothie at Wright before the two men squared off and were separated by security. Barnett also shouted abuse at Green during the incident, prompting viewer backlash on social media.
Wright had previously dated Vicky Pattison of “Geordie Shore.” Their 2016 split played out publicly before his TV career began in earnest. He appeared across multiple reality franchises before stepping away from the spotlight, later saying he had felt “hugely unfulfilled” by his time on television.
A spokesperson for “The Only Way Is Essex” released a statement after news of Wright’s death: “Everyone at TOWIE sends their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Jordan Wright at this very sad time.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said British authorities are involved. “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities,” a spokesperson said.
Friends and relatives with concerns have been directed to contact the Choeng Thale Police Station directly.
