Havering may be in London, but there’s no hiding our cultural heritage – the Essex accent is instantly recognisable in the borough’s homes and high streets.

Romford Recorder: Facebook users said Dagenham X-Factor star Stacey Solomon was an exponent of the Towie-like Estuary Essex accent (picture: Anthony Devlin/PA)Facebook users said Dagenham X-Factor star Stacey Solomon was an exponent of the Towie-like Estuary Essex accent (picture: Anthony Devlin/PA) (Image: PA/Press Association Images)

But the rest of the country wishes we’d “shut up”, according to an online poll that ranked our regional lilt Britain’s least favourite.

Romford Recorder: By contrast, Olly Murs was considered to have a softer, more traditional Essex accent. The singer is from Witham, Essex.By contrast, Olly Murs was considered to have a softer, more traditional Essex accent. The singer is from Witham, Essex. (Image: TIM ANDERSON)

In a survey of 1,000 users of online casino www.roxypalace.com, just one per cent chose the accent as the best in the British Isles.

But the Recorder’s Facebook fans believe TV show The Only Way Is Essex (Towie) has given the accent a bad name – and isn’t even a good representation of how we talk.

Carol Fleming wrote: “I’m an Essex girl born and bred and I have never spoken like that, I hate the Towie accent, makes me cringe.”

The accent varies from region to region, with Havering’s twangy inflections influenced by Cockneys displaced to outer London following the Second World War.

This is the accent made famous in Towie.

A casino spokesman said: “Many people choose which accents they prefer based on who their favourite celebrities are at the time,” he said.

“Without Towie, maybe the Essex accent would have performed better.”

C J Tait agreed the TV show gave a bad impression of the region.

“The Towie accent is not the true Essex accent,” he said. “It is more what one would class as ‘Estuary Essex’.

“The true Essex accent has a soft lilt to it and stands alone, as does a Norfolk or Suffolk accent that one can still hear on the odd occasions.”

Other Facebook users like Michelle Duggins-Jones came to the defence of the way we talk.

She wrote: “Best accent in the world!!!”

And Streetlife user Barry said: “If everyone spoke the same it would be very boring.

“As for Towie, I can’t stand it, probably because of my age, but the Essex accent I think it’s GREAT!!!”

Rebecca Mazrreku said she believed what defined the accent was changing.

“I think the younger generations are beginning to talk like they do [on Towie], with the slang and invented words,” she said.

“But listen to Olly Murs – he’s from Essex and doesn’t sound like they do at all, but take Stacey Solomon and she does sound like them.”

What do you think? Get in touch on 020 8477 3903 or e-mail ramzy.alwakeel@archant.co.uk.