CHRISTMAS came early for more than 100 people who queued to meet television heartthrobs from The Only Way Is Essex.

Women, girls and boys queued more than five hours to meet Dan Osborne and Tom Pearce who paid a visit to Bolton to sign their new calendars and meet fans.

They were met by some teenagers who were so overwhelmed they were crying and other brought Christmas cards and chocolate for the men.

The pin-ups set up shop on the first floor of Market Place Shopping Centre and met fans for two hours.

Among those in the queue were babies, teenagers and one of the men’s older fans, Rebecca Pantling, aged 52, from Doffcocker.

Mrs Pantling, speaking before she met the TV stars, said: “I came especially for the signing. My husband has left me to it. I came to see Tom. I like his eyes best, he has beautiful eyes. My husband thinks I am mad for coming. I will get a calendar but it will have to go up in the bathroom. Queuing up has made me feel like a school girl again, if only I was younger.”

Dan, a model and tattoo artist, aged said: “I have never been to Bolton before and I haven’t seen much yet, only the traffic when I came up from Essex.

“I find it really flattering that so many people have come out to see us. And I am really flattered that women in their 50s are here — I like an older woman.”

Christmas this year will be extra special for Dan, aged 23, as his former girlfriend is expecting their baby boy to arrive on December 25.

Tom, aged 23, said: “Today (Saturday) was the first time I had been to Bolton. I am hoping to see some of it. Being asked to do the calendar gave me an excuse to go to the gym for six weeks before the pictures were taken. I just worked hard for six weeks beforehand.”

He said he drew the short straw with the calendar as his photographs were taken in London and Dan’s in Majorca.

Fan Rachel Bolton, aged 13, from Deane, said: “I like Dan best, I came especially for the signing. He is one of my favourite people in TOWIE. He is gorgeous. My friends will all be jealous of me.”