Inside James Argent's love life from Gemma Collins spat to 19-year-old 'dumping'
James 'Arg' Argent's love life has had all the twists and turns of a extended episode of The Only Way Is Essex.
The reality TV star, 35, shot to fame on the ITVBE show, where his on-off relationship with co-star, Gemma Collins, was played out for all the world to see. It's now been reported James has been dumped by his 19-year-old law student girlfriend, Stella Turian, after a year together amid recent talk of the pair getting hitched.
So, as we wait to hear more news about the star's latest suspected failed relationship with his 19-year-old belle – amid reports the swing singer is "heartbroken" – here's the lowdown on Arg's chaotic love life.
Lydia Bright heartache
TOWIE favourites James and Lydia first got together back in 2008 and had a high profile and very on-off love affair that played out in front of cameras. By 2010, the pair had already known each other for two years – with their romance being dragged into the spotlight as they both signed up to star on The Only Way Is Essex.
There was plenty of drama for the cameras to capture when the couple split amid cheating allegations – with series one of the show following the pair as they navigated their way back to a romance. Arg managed to win back Lydia when he sang to her at a party – and the pair enjoyed a date with a pet pig in the Christmas special that year.
TOWIE's Chloe Brockett makes cheeky dig at Saffron Lempriere during filmingHowever, the romance proved to be on-off for years as they split in 2011 before Lydia embarked on a romance with Arg’s love rival, Tom Kilbey. Sadly, TOWIE's most enduring couple split in 2016 after Lydia allegedly discovered her boyfriend with a "cocaine" binge. According to The Sun, the reality star threw her on-off beau of seven years out of their Essex home after coming home early from an event in London and finding him "out of it".
Despite their split, Arg told OK! that it was his on-off lover who helped him seek assistance for his addiction issues, saying: "Lydia and Elliott Wright were the ones who suggested it might be good for me. At first I didn’t think I needed help but as time went on I realised I’d lose everything if I didn’t get help. I knew that if I didn’t turn my life around I’d never be able to get my career or Lydia back."
Lydia added: "It was such a hard thing to go through but I knew it was the best thing for him. I always had faith he could turn himself around with the right help.
Fortunately, Lydia appears to have now made amends with James as she told Closer magazine in October: “I’m a big believer in never holding onto anger – everything in your life has happened for a reason. I’d never have even done TOWIE if it wasn’t for James. I will always be grateful for what he did for me in my life, and we’ve always remained very good friends. We’ve been through so much together.”
Gemma Collins fiery romance and cruel jibes
The GC had an on-off relationship with Arg for many years after meeting on The Only Way is Essex – having ended their romance most recently in 2020. The former couple have been open about having faced some challenges while they were together, including Arg having battled with a drug addiction in previous years.
During one of their splits in 2019, Gemma was reportedly the recipient of a string of nasty messages from Arg, targeting her weight. The Diva Forever star shared the testy exchange on her Instagram Stories in 2020 in which her former boyfriend could be seen comparing her to a hippo alongside other cruel comments, but swiftly deleted the post.
In a row over Arg taking another woman to dinner, the shocking texts began with Gemma saying: "What man pays for another woman!" An exchange continued and Arg cruelly hit back with: "You are supposed to be treating me you hippo."
James also reportedly branded Gemma a 'fat selfish b*****' in an explosive row after he had cosmetic surgery. According to sources, the former TOWIE star had his ears pinned back and spent his recovery at his Essex home following his rehab stint to overcome a cocaine addiction. The singer is said to have lashed out at the reality regular before Gemma deciced to end their seven-year relationship for good.
'Dumped' by his 19-year-old girlfriend
After years of rocky romances, James, 35, finally seemed to be happy after it was revealed he was dating Stella Turian, 19, who he met in Mykonos last year.
Admitting he was "really happy" with the Italian law student, Arg hinted he has long-term plans for their relationship just weeks ago, telling MailOnline he could see himself getting married to Stella one day, teasing he may even 'sing at his nuptials'.
Love Island breaks record as Molly-Mae Hague became parent to 8th baby from showHowever, sadly, the couple have split up after a year together, it has been reported. "Throughout the summer it became increasingly difficult for them to meet up due to their work commitments," a source told MailOnline. "There are no hard feelings between them, they still follow each other on Instagram, and James is even invited to come out to ski with Stella and her family early next year.
"They made lasting memories, travelling around the most romantic parts of Italy together and Stella visited London for the first time to see James, but for now they have mutually agreed that their relationship is over."