JAMES ‘ARG’ ARGENT CLEARS UP THE RUMOURS AND TELLS US HE’S EXCITED FOR HIS 2020 COMEBACK
AFTER A TOUGH FEW YEARS, JAMES ‘ARG’ ARGENT OPENS UP TO ok!’s JOSIE COPSON ABOUT HIS MENTAL HEALTH AND HIS BIG PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
Early fans of TOWIE will remember James ‘Arg’ Argent as a lovable Essex boy. His many iconic scenes included him buying a pig called Mr Darcy for then-girlfriend Lydia Bright, clowning around with best friend Mark Wright at pool parties and running the London Marathon with a large ‘Arg’ sign attached to his head.
While his fun-loving character made him a firm favourite on the show, behind closed doors Arg’s life was starting to spiral out of control.
In 2014, he was suspended from TOWIE after failing a drug test, and in April 2016 Lydia Bright ended their relationship after she allegedly caught him taking drugs. Then, in May this year, he was kicked off the reality show again for failing another drug test.
And last week it looked like the 31 year old’s problems had resurfaced when two police cars and an ambulance crew dashed to his £1.3 million home in Essex amid fears he’d taken an overdose.
According to Arg, it was his on/off girlfriend Gemma Collins, 38, who had unnecessarily alerted the emergency services when she was unable to contact him.
James wishes to tell his side of the story in our exclusive interview, and insists that while he’s been left devastated by the claims, his life is on a healthier path these days...
Can you tell us why the emergency services were at your house?
A phone call was made by Gemma. Gemma loves me to death. She was seriously concerned because she couldn’t get hold of me, which I understand. I didn’t have my phone on me because it was charging downstairs.
I have put her through a lot so I completely understand her worry. She remembers what she’s been through in the past with me so she thought the worst.
What happened when they arrived? There was a bit of drama as I don’t have a doorbell, so I didn’t hear when they were knocking for ten minutes as I was in the loft conversion on the third floor. I was in on my own and I get a bit nervous, so I had bolted my door, which meant the paramedics had to force entry. They came up to my room – I was really shocked and confused. They had a five-minute chat with me and left. If I was in a bad state then I would have been taken to hospital. Later, the police came; if they had found drugs, then I would have been arrested. The ambulance came back again. I don’t know whether a second call was made or it was a routine check. It’s unfortunate for me that there were paparazzi outside to capture it all.
Are you and Gemma currently together? We are not together at the moment. It’s all been a bit of a mess, so the best thing Gemma can do is spend time with her friends and family, and I’m going to do the same. A break is very much what we, and especially Gemma, need as it was becoming toxic in the way we were with each other. We need to get on with things, and keep ourselves busy.
Will you get back together in the future?
I still care and have a lot of love for her, but at the moment we both need some time apart, but who knows what will happen in the future? The last thing I want is for us to continue as we are. I don’t want us to publicly say nasty things about each other. That’s not me. I’ve always protected Gemma – I’ve never said a bad word about her. Anything she’s ever done to me I’ve always kept it between us two. I really want her to remember that.
How did you feel when you saw the story about fears you’d overdosed?
The newspaper rang to let me know, and I obviously didn’t want a story like that going out about me. I panicked and as my mum and dad have been really ill recently, I said the incident was linked to that. The newspaper were then informed that the police were there to check the welfare of a man in his thirties, so now I just have to tell the truth.
Did it upset your family?
My mum has been quite upset, and so has my dad. I’ve had some banter with them, and said: ‘At least you’re famous now,’ as there were pictures of them at the door. Other family members from Ireland and around the
‘gemma loves me to death’
country have called to ask what’s going on. It’s triggered a lot of worry.
There was also a story that you were banned from easyjet for two years after running through a fire exit and on to the runway. What happened?
I was having the best holiday of my life in Sicily with Gemma in June, and I was told one day that I needed to come back to London for an important meeting. I flew home, went to the meeting and then rushed straight back to the airport to catch the next flight because I didn’t want to leave Gemma by herself for too long. As I got to the gate, it came up saying ‘closed’, even though it wasn’t taking off for another half an hour. I didn’t have any luggage so I pleaded with the woman at the desk, but she refused. I was panicking and ended up having a bit of a Love Actually moment! I sneaked through the fire exit and on to the runway. I was only on there a couple of seconds before security came out. I was extremely apologetic, and they said it happens a lot but it’s very dangerous so I’d get a 24-hour ban. I’m very upset because I received an email from easyjet to say I’m on a two-year ban, which I think is unfair. I’m a loyal customer, I’ve never had a problem before and thousands of people get 24 hours. I feel like I’m being treated differently. This all happened earlier this summer so I’m confused as to why this is coming out now. Someone is out to get me. I need Coleen Rooney to investigate!
How are you feeling?
I’ve found it really hard the last few days. I feel like people are certainly not holding back at the moment. People have been leaking and selling stories on me, and it’s not been nice. There have been a few occasions where I’ve come outside my house and the paps have been at the end of my drive. It makes me
question all of my mates. I don’t know who I do and don’t trust. I think I’m fairly liked but I get trolled about my weight, and I do really struggle. I did everyone proud when I attempted to swim the channel for Sink Or Swim For Stand Up To Cancer so I went from that great achievement to this. I’ve been worried that people would read the story and assume the worst. I do worry about what people think about me.
Have you been getting any support?
I’ve had so much love from friends and family, and some of my peers. I’ve had my best friends in boxing, Anthony Yarde and Ohara Davies, Ferne Mccann, Scarlett Moffatt, Diags [James Bennewith] and Gatsby [Liam Blackwell] texting me. Out of all this, that’s been the positive. It’s embarrassing and upsetting, but it’s a good feeling that people care about me.
Are you seeing a therapist?
I’ve just started seeing a therapist. I had a good chat with him and we’re going to be speaking regularly. This is a new thing for me, and I’m hoping it will help. A lot of times I laugh things off and I never show what I’m feeling. I make a joke out of everything to mask the pain, but the last few days I have been talking. When I was at my lowest in the past, I went to rehabilitation centres – The Priory and The Cabin in north Thailand. If I was in that same dark place then I’d be straight back to those places, but that is not the case.
What are your current issues?
My biggest problem is my eating disorder. I have always struggled with it since my teens. When I’m in a bad place I binge eat, and when I put on weight it then triggers more issues. I have been aware of the issue for a long time, but I still struggle with it so I’m speaking to my therapist about changing my relationship with my food. The best thing I can do is eat healthily, and get down to the gym four times a week. Rebecca Adlington has said she’s going to take me to the Olympic pool in Stratford. I need to make sure I have structure in my life, and keep myself busy doing positive things. I’ve just bought a beautiful new house in Woodford Green, which is a focus. It’s near my mum and dad as I want to be close to them. I have always wanted to live in the area but never thought I’d be able to afford it. This is supposed to be a really positive time for me, and it’s unfortunate that all this has come about.
What is your weight currently?
I was the biggest I’ve ever been, which was 23 stone and a half, but I’ve now lost two stone. At my healthiest I’ve been 15 stone, and I want to be back there. I want to lose six stone in six
‘I don’t know who I do and don’t trust’
months. I’m going to do it. I want to have the biggest comeback of 2020.
Would you like to return to TOWIE?
If they do a TOWIE ten-year special next year, then they can’t do it without me. It would be like Friends reuniting without Joey. I’m very proud to say I was the last original cast member, and I had the record for most episodes when I left. If I was in a good place, then from what I’ve been told the door would be open for my return if it’s what I wanted.
Do you think reality TV has heightened your issues?
I think these issues would be there regardless, so I can’t really blame reality TV, but you’ve got to be thick-skinned. A lot of the time what people say about you isn’t accurate. The trolling on social media is bullying and it can be really hard. It can make you feel like a failure. I have mostly been fortunate for ten years. I’ve done presenting and lots of amazing shows, but I can’t expect to be doing what I’m doing forever, which is why I’m investing my time into my band [The Arg Band]. You received some negative comments after appearing in
Gemma Collins: Diva Forever. How did you cope with that?
That was difficult because it wasn’t my show so I didn’t have an opportunity to tell my side. It was unfair, and I was disappointed.
Every show should have a psychologist assigned, who can be called while you’re filming the show, when it’s being aired and after. I think that is starting to happen now.
Where do you see yourself in six months?
I’m going to be clean and sober, and six stone lighter. I’m going to be a top swimmer and boxer. My band will still be flying. Hopefully I’ll be dating or in a relationship, but as long as I’m healthy and happy that’s all that matters. I need to concentrate on myself for the next few months, and then I’ll be in a place where I can help others. I’d be open to a documentary about men’s mental health. At the moment I’m on a pursuit of happiness.
‘Someone is out to get me’