Former Reality Star Chooses Waste Management Over Showbiz Spotlight
A prominent original cast member from the hit ITV2 series The Only Way Is Essex has made a dramatic career shift, abandoning the glamour of television fame to establish himself in the waste collection industry. Kirk Norcross, who rose to prominence when the show launched in 2011, has turned his back on celebrity life entirely, describing his previous existence in the public eye as "toxic" and filled with inauthentic relationships.
From Television Screens to Waste Collection Services
Norcross, who appeared on TOWIE for two years before departing in 2013, has since maintained a relatively low profile despite brief appearances on other reality programmes like Celebrity Big Brother and MTV's Ex On The Beach. His latest venture marks a significant departure from the world of entertainment that made household names of fellow Essex stars like Gemma Collins and Mark Wright.
The former reality television personality is now the proprietor of County Clear Waste, a same-day collection service operating across both Norfolk and Suffolk. The business appears to have been established recently, with its Instagram presence dating from early January 2026, yet it has already attracted more than 1,500 followers on the social media platform.
A Deliberate Move Away from Celebrity Culture
This is not Norcross's first foray into conventional employment since leaving the television industry. He previously operated KN Jet Services, a jet-washing business based in Essex, which represented his initial transition away from showbusiness. In a 2020 interview with The Sun, Norcross expressed profound satisfaction with his new direction, stating he was "happier" working regular jobs.
"I realise working up a ladder clearing drains and jet-washing driveways isn't as glamorous as being on the telly," Norcross explained. "But I wouldn't swap things for the world. I am so glad. I am away from that life now. When I was on Towie I was known everywhere I went."
He contrasted his current lifestyle with his former celebrity existence, noting: "I used to buy Ferraris, expensive watches and designer jeans — now I'm happy with a £20 pair from Topman. There is so much bulls*** going on when you live your life in the public eye. It can be toxic and you get surrounded by people who are fake and just hangers-on."
Overcoming Personal Challenges
Norcross's journey away from fame has not been without personal difficulties. In 2024, he revealed he felt he had "nothing left" after a private sex tape involving him was leaked online back in 2013. Recalling the devastating impact of the violation, he told podcaster Liam Tuffs: "I didn't want to be around anymore."
Reflecting on the incident with perspective gained through time, Norcross noted: "Most of the people listening to this have probably sent or received a naked picture with someone they're either dating, texting, seeing or flirting with. We've all done it. I'm just the only one that got caught."
His candid admission highlights the particular vulnerabilities faced by those in the public eye, where private moments can become public spectacle without consent.
A New Chapter in East Anglia
With County Clear Waste now established and operating, Norcross appears to have found genuine contentment far from the "bright lights of Brentwood" that once defined his public persona. His transition from television personality to waste management entrepreneur represents one of the more dramatic career transformations among former TOWIE cast members, whose post-show fortunes have varied considerably.
The business venture demonstrates a complete reorientation of priorities for the former reality star, who has consciously chosen practical work and relative anonymity over the constant scrutiny and superficiality he associates with celebrity culture. His story serves as a notable example of how individuals can redefine success on their own terms, finding fulfilment in unexpected places far removed from their original paths to fame.
