Gemma tells Arg: “I won’t be second best again”
Insiders say Gemma Collins’ deep-rooted insecurities over boyfriend James ‘Arg’ Argent have resurfaced – due to his close bond with best friend Mark Wright
They’ve been best pals since school, in a friendship spanning two decades – with the inseparable duo first shooting to fame in 2010 as
TOWIE’s notorious Lothario and his lovable sidekick.
Fast-forward ten years, and James “Arg” Argent, 32, has proven his friendship with
Mark Wright, 33, is stronger than ever, after crediting his “guardian angel” with saving his life following his latest drugs relapse. He also revealed it was
Mark who booked and helped pay for his 12-week stint at the
Thai rehab clinic from where he recently returned, after he suffered two overdoses during his £500-a-week cocaine habit last year.
NO HIDING
Arg has also attributed his recovery to the “tough love” he received from his on/off girlfriend of eight years, Gemma Collins – saying,
“If it wasn’t for Gemma calling an ambulance to my house, who knows what could have happened?” He also revealed he “hated her” at times when he was at his lowest, as she wouldn’t hide
his drug addiction.
And pals say Gemma, 39, can’t help but feel very slightly pushed out by the boys’ close friendship, which has been strengthened by Arg’s ordeal, even though she knows she doesn’t really have strong reason to. A source says, “Gem’s grateful to Mark and everything he’s done for Arg, but she feels a little jealous of their bond and
Arg’s adoration for Mark.
“She likes Mark and she’d never want to come between them, but she can’t help sometimes feeling a bit like a third wheel and that it comes across as if she’s second best to Mark, which stings given everything she’s been through with him.”
Last month, the couple enjoyed a socially distanced “garden date”, with Gemma telling her Instagram followers she was “so happy I could cry”.
Our source explains,
“It’s been a difficult time given that she and Arg have spent so much time apart over the last few months, first because of Arg’s rehab stint and then being separated during the lockdown. So, now more than ever, she wants his focus to be on them as a couple.”
Arg’s friendship with Mark – who recently celebrated his fifth wedding anniversary with Michelle Keegan, 32 – was a constant bone of contention between him and his ex, Lydia Bright, 30, with the singer often finding himself in a tug-of-war between her and his best pal.
SHE CAN’T HELP BUT FEEL PUSHED OUT BY THE BOYS’
CLOSE FRIENDSHIP
LED ASTRAY
In 2011, Lydia found the boys having drinks with other girls in a nightclub and she vented, “You’re a f f***ing idiot, Arg, and who is leading you astray – again?” referring to Mark.
During another heated confrontation on the reality show, Lydia – who had then only recently reunited with
Arg – blamed Mark for their prior split and told him, “You’re quite a powerful person and talk people into doing things. I don’t want you taking him [Arg] away from me again like you did before.”
Now, Mark and Arg are reportedly set to reunite for the TOWIE ten-year anniversary special this autumn, which will delight fans of the show.
But pals say that, while
Gemma doesn’t want to stand in the way of a friendship she knows is precious to Arg and his recovery, she’s made it clear she won’t be playing gooseberry.
The source says, “Gemma knows Mark’s a completely different person to the one he was back in his TOWIE days and is now a happily married man, so in the back of her mind, she hopes he can even encourage Arg to follow suit and inspire him to settle down. But, like any girlfriend, she wants her man to be able to turn to her for comfort and support, rather than just taking advice from his best friend.”
But pals say Arg’s considerate reaction to Gemma’s concerns has further solidified her hopes he’s finally turned a corner.
Arg recently confessed that Gemma issued him an ultimatum to stay clean so they can “marry and have kids” and the source adds, “Arg really listened to Gemma and took on board how she felt. He will be conscious of it in future, which she really appreciates.
“Arg’s new emotional maturity proved to her how far he’s come, as she thinks he has finally realised what’s at risk.”
By Daisy McLure