Gemma Collins has told pals she’s worried boyfriend Arg will rekindle his friendship with ex Lydia Bright after she announced her pregnancy and split from her partner
She’s made no secret of her insecurities over her on/off boyfriend James “Arg” Argent’s feelings for his former girlfriend Lydia Bright – sobbing on her show Diva Espana last year after he cruelly told her he never loved her like he did his long-term ex.
And insiders say Gemma Collins’ insecurities were reignited last week after Lydia, 28, announced she was expecting her first child, but had sadly split from the baby’s father, Lee Cronin, after a two-year relationship.
Opening up about her pregnancy in an interview, former TOWIE star Lydia said, “I’ve always wanted the fairy tale. And it’s obviously not worked out exactly how I wanted.”
A source says, “Deep down, Gemma thinks Arg will always hold a candle for Lydia and was really worried about how he’d feel about her not only being pregnant, but also now being single again."
![Gemma Collins](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d5f/f70a/a950/7726/4e7b/7590/gemma-collins.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
“Her worst nightmare would be for Lydia and Arg to strike-up a friendship again, as she’s convinced old feelings would come rushing back and, with their deep connection and his close bond to her family, she says she wouldn’t stand a chance and she’d lose out yet again to the girl who she’s always felt like she’s come second-best to.”
As one of TOWIE’s original power couples, Arg and Lydia had a rocky nine-year relationship that weathered many storms from the moment they hit screens in 2010, after falling in love as teenagers in 2007.
Opening up about their desire to settle down together, Arg – who revealed last week that he’d reached his biggest weight of 24st – once said of Lydia, “In my heart, I’ll always believe she’s the girl I’ll marry and have babies with.”
Check out: James Argent's body transformation journey
James Argent weight loss journey
![James Argent - 2010](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d5d/542c/0a31/4941/af6a/cc07/james-argent-weight-loss-journey-1.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James Argent - 2010
Arg is an OG TOWIE star and when the series first aired back in 2010 he was in a relationship with Lydia Bright.
![James Argent - 2014](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d5d/5448/0a31/49ff/826a/cc0e/james-argent-weight-loss-journey-2.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James Argent - 2014
James was suspended from the reality show that threw him into the limelight following allegations that he failed a drug test.
![James Argent - 2015](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d5d/5514/0a31/493e/6a6a/cc40/james-argent-weight-loss-journey-3.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James Argent - 2015
The reality star decided to switch up his lifestyle and enter rehab; he even spent Christmas Day at The Priory (the same rehab facility Katie Price spent time in during September 2018). A few months later the reality star revealed on This Morning that it was "the best decision" he has ever made.
![James argent 2016](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d5d/5d5c/0a31/4999/e16a/cd26/james-argent-weight-loss-journey-4.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James Argent - 2016 (March)
In 2016 after gaining weight, Arg attended two weight loss retreats; one in Norfolk and the other in Ibiza. After his fitness overhaul the TOWIE star dropped from 19st 1lb to 16st. He also went from 48 to 40 inches around his waist.
![james argent 2016](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d5d/5d57/0a31/4947/be6a/cd1f/james-argent-weight-loss-journey-5.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James Argent - 2016 (July)
Arg told The Sunthat waking up at 6am helped him feel like a "new man". He explained: "I am not going to lie - it has been incredibly tough and, yes, I have had the odd lapse."But I am thrilled to have lost three-stone and I do genuinely feel like a new man."
![james argent 2016](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d5d/5ddd/0a31/491c/fd6a/cd3c/james-argent-weight-loss-journey-6.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James Argent - 2016 (October)
At the end of 2016, Arg confessed on Instagram that he was "gutted at how unfit" he was. However he ended his post on a positive and insisted: "I'll get there and maintain it this time!"
![James Argent - 2017](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d5d/5e3f/0a31/491e/476a/cd4c/james-argent-weight-loss-journey-7.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James Argent - 2017
In 2017 Arg flew out to a rehab facility in Thailand. He spent 10 weeks out there and manages to lose another stone. Arg's friend Jack Tweed revealed all the fitness activities he had been doing during his time abroad."He said he's been doing loads of stuff like Muay Thai boxing, jungle trekking, abseiling down waterfalls and zip lining."He's been eating really healthy food and he's lost over a stone. Arg is in a really good place at the moment and I hope he keeps it up, for his sake and his family's sake," he told new! magazine.
![James Argent - 2018](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d5d/5ef0/0a31/494c/d96a/cd6b/james-argent-weight-loss-journey-8.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James Argent - 2018
The on-off TOWIE couple (Arg and Gemma) split in July 2018 but then reunited the following month. After getting back together, Arg decided to take a break from the ITVBe show and seek treatment. A source told The Sun: "James was under a dark cloud recently and has made the brave decision to enter back into a programme to help him get back on track."He has been attending regular therapy and secondary care at an outpatient treatment facility in London."
![James Argent - 2019](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d5d/606f/0a31/4985/316a/cd9d/james-argent-weight-loss-journey-9.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James Argent - 2019
Despite struggling with his weight, Arg posted a video of the GC snoring and apparently fat-shamed her. It resulted in him being dumped but the pair reunited and managed to move on from the incident.
![James Argent - 2019](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d5d/627f/0a31/499f/296a/cdf7/james-argent-weight-loss-journey-10.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James Argent - 2019
In April, weight loss professional Steven Miller revealed he was concerned about James Argent's weight and even warned he could be on 'death row'.
![James Argent - 2019](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d5d/6333/0a31/49a1/2e6a/ce0a/james-argent-weight-loss-journey-13.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James Argent - 2019
Following the warning the reality star revealed he was taking up boxing to kick start his weight loss. He then vowed on This Morning to take control of his weight after Dr Ranj revealed he was significantly obese, long term he needed to lose 10 stone and drop 17 inches off his waist.
![James Argent - 2019](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d5d/62eb/0a31/499c/466a/ce03/james-argent-weight-loss-journey-12.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James Argent - 2019
Despite being dumped by the GC earlier on in the year after fat-shaming her, he then appeared to make more mean comments about her figure on her TV show. Fans urged Gemma to split from her boyfriend following his 'disgusting' insults.
![James Argent - 2019](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d66/52a3/a950/7705/9a7b/fd76/james-argent-ten-stone-weight-gain.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James Argent - 2019
In August as Arg prepared to swim the English Channel for Stand Up To Cancer it came to light that in the past two years he has gained ten stone.
![James Argent - 2019](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d94/b989/c11f/b206/5831/bf1d/james-argent-topless-gym.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James Argent - 2019
Although they didn't swim the entire English Channel, the Stand Up To Cancer team got pretty far before the weather conditions made them cut their journey short. Following his stint, Arg revealed he was heading back to the gym before teasing bigger things are on the horizon in 2020.He wrote on Instagram: "I'm going to have the biggest comeback of 2020!!! "After a few years of absence I'm now officially a member of @davidlloydchigwellofficial My 1st swim ud83cudfca♂ufe0f since attempting the epic challenge of the #EnglishChannel Its good to be back! ud83dude4cud83cudffd❤ufe0f".
![James Argent - 2020](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5ebb/d8a2/ecdb/c71a/0518/0cfb/james-argent-gemma-collins-dubai.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James Argent - 2020
At the beginning of 2020 it was reported that Arg flew out to Thailand and entered rehab following allegations of a 'second overdose'.
![James Argent - 2020](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5ebb/d8ac/e87a/c818/8520/ee9f/james-argent-weight-loss.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James Argent - 2020
While flogging curries on Instagram, Arg showed off his impressive five-stone weight loss.
The pair’s fiery romance finally came to an end in 2016 but, just days before Lydia’s baby announcement, Arg cryptically Tweeted how he’d heard “bad news”, while Gemma put on a brave face – congratulating her former co-star on her baby news on Twitter.
The source says, “Gemma asked Arg if he’d reached out to Lydia over the pregnancy, which led him to snap. He accused her of trying to stir up trouble and they had a row over Gemma’s blatant lack of trust for him.
“Gemma was sobbing as she told pals it was clear the news had upset Arg and how she feared it meant he still had feelings for Lydia – and with their relationship already on such thin ice, she started to panic that she was going to push him away and make him run back to her.
“Arg assured her he’d never go back to Lydia and begged Gemma to stop obsessing over her, but she insisted that with his constant put-downs, it was hard to feel special and wanted by him.”
![Lydia Bright James Argent](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d5f/f76f/a950/7741/bd7b/75a3/lydia-bright-james-argent.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
The couple split in April after he shared an unflattering video of her snoring and later bombarded her with abusive text messages, claiming she was a “fat joke” and had “more rolls than Greggs.”
In an episode of Gemma’s reality show Diva Espana last year, she broke down in tears after Arg told her he never loved her like he’d loved Lydia.
She said, “He doesn’t care that I’m his girlfriend... and the fact that someone says to me does it hurt that I’ll never love you like I loved my ex-girlfriend...”
Gemma has also seen how supportive Arg was to his ex-TOWIE co-star Ferne McCann when she became a single mum after splitting from her daughter’s dad, Arthur Collins. The pair often holiday together and Gemma fears Arg may reach out to Lydia in the same way.
Gemma was also criticised last week when she admitted that her 3st weight loss – which she’d previously put down to a vegan diet – had actually been the result of using controversial £250 appetite-suppressing injections, SkinnyJab, to achieve her trimmer frame.
The injectables – which contain the drug liraglutide and are said to help people feel full for longer, reduce appetite and control blood sugar levels – have been labelled as “potentially dangerous” by many health experts due to their many side-effects, which can include dizziness, headaches, digestive problems and the risk of upper respiratory tract infections.
Trolls were quick to slam the star – with one sarcastically quipping, “Great role model”, while another said, “Promoting slimming injections to young fans is the height of irresponsibility.” The injectables were created by Caroline Balazs, who insisted all customers were assessed by clinicians who were trained by the NHS.
Read more celeb news
Mark Wight and Michelle Keegan’s last blow-out before baby making
Joshua Ritchie's MUM drops huge hint Charlotte Crosby is pregnant
TOWIE'S Yazmin Oukhellou spills the beans on HUGE cast fall out
Watch: Molly-Mae: ‘Sometimes you had to do things you didn’t want to’ | Love Island secrets
Despite her recent admission, the star was left fuming in June when she was accused of using diet pills to aid her slim down – even threatening to take legal action against the company.
![Closer magazine issue 867](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d5f/f614/a950/7769/527b/7567/closer-magazie-867.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
But pals say Gemma – who’s become an icon for curvy women over the years and has her own plus-size fashion line – wasn’t fazed by the onslaught of negative reactions after insiders recently told Closer how she was convinced being hated and riling-up fans with her diva behaviour would make her an even bigger star.
The source adds, “Gemma just wanted to be honest with fans and feels immune to the backlash, but pals are worried she’s alienating those who loved her for her authenticity and how real she always was about her weight struggles.
“But, deep down, Gemma is happy the jabs have worked for her and she is determined to keep her weight down in whatever way she can to make sure Arg only has eyes for her.”
Read even more celeb stories in this week's Closer magazine - out now.