Gemma & Arg: “We’ll be bigger than Mark & Michelle”
Insiders reveal Gemma Collins is considering “his ’n’ hers” surgery with boyfriend Arg in a bid to make themselves a celebrity power couple
Gemma Collins’ rekindled romance with James “Arg” Argent has been hotting up as they posed for a series of loved-up Instagram pictures in Spain – where they have recently bought a holiday home together.
Sharing a photograph of the couple kissing last week, Gemma, 37, wrote, “I promise to never forget that this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love.”
Despite reports of a row between the notoriously fiery couple as they flew home, sources say Gemma – who reunited with Arg, 30, in March after originally dating in 2012 – is plotting to turn them into a “major celebrity brand” with ambitions to earn millions.
A source reveals, “Gem and James think that they have the potential to be bigger than Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan. They reckon with the attention they’re getting, they’re on their way to becoming national treasures. Gemma has always wanted the lifestyle that comes with a bigger level of fame. She wants a PA and is on the lookout for a bodyguard. She’s living in a flat at the moment, but wants a big house and a personal make-up artist and stylist. She’s instructed her management to look into joint appearances on TV shows, ideally with a view of them becoming co-presenters of a big programme. They don’t just want to go on This Morning, Gemma also wants to do US talk shows, which is a bit of an ask as no one knows them in America.”
DRAMATIC PLANS
To get the transformation underway, pals say Gemma is thinking about surgery for the couple to help cement their new status as superstars.
The source says, “They’ve both talked about having cameras follow them for ‘his ’n’ hers’ lipo and Botox, and if necessary, she says they’d both consider gastric surgery. Arg doesn’t really care so long as it’s not painful. Gemma feels they will need a new look to make their dreams come true.”
The reality star has had a public battle with her body, fluctuating between a size 14 and 22, while Arg underwent a drastic transformation following his stint in rehab for drug abuse last year and reportedly lost a stone. However, they have continued to struggle with weight gain.
The source says, “They’re living in a bit of a bubble, so mostly stay indoors drinking and eating food they know they shouldn’t. They love old movies, a few drinks, takeaways and holidays. Arg is a bit more committed to exercising than Gemma and likes to do the odd work out, but at the moment, they are fairly tame efforts.”
After shooting to fame on TOWIE in 2011, Gemma has appeared on various TV shows. She infamously lasted just 72 hours on I’m A Celeb! in 2014, which she was paid for. The reality star also participated in Celebrity Big Brother in 2016 and the second series of ITV’S diving show Splash!, while she most recently starred in the fourth series of Celebs Go Dating. It was announced last week that she’s now signed up to the new series of Celebrity Masterchef.
Gemma, who already has a net worth of £2.7million, has earned her fortune from her various TV work, but also through her collaboration with Boohoo.com. The plus-size fashion range is also available from her own Brentwood-based boutique. Meanwhile, Arg – who has
been in TOWIE for seven years and is now the show’s longestserving cast member – is reported to have a net worth of £850,000.
However, if Gemma really does have her sights set on earning millions, she and Arg will, according to PR guru Nick Ede, both have to undergo a dramatic overhaul.
LOOKING FORWARD
He says, “Gemma and Arg are never going to be Mark and Michelle unless they make some serious changes to their appearance and lifestyle. Mark and Michelle both have credible careers and this is vital. Arg and Gemma have both talked about having a gastric band before, so who knows if they will actually go ahead with it. It would be a long process for them to overhaul their lives – I’ve known them for years and if there are issues with food or weight, it doesn’t take a day or week at bootcamp – it takes years.”
While they might be keen to earn more money as a couple, they are equally eager to have a baby. Last month, the star – who has been open about her fertility issues in the past – revealed she was told by doctors that having a baby naturally is still a possibility for her and Arg, saying he’s now ready for children.
The source adds, “Gemma thinks having a child will endear them even more to the public and believes they can have their own baby-focused reality show like Ferne Mccann and Sam Faiers. She also thinks it’ll be a great way to expand her clothing business into a baby range. She really believes they’re on the cusp of being a very big brand.”