They have both moved on with new partners since their almost decade-long relationship came to a crashing end in July 2020 following countless splits, toxic feuds, public slanging matches and drug addiction.
But following reports that things are getting serious for James 'Arg' Argent and his teen girlfriend Stella Turian, insiders say that Gemma Collins has been rocked by the news, and it’s sparked rows between her and her fiancé Rami Hawash.
In recent weeks, Arg, 34, has travelled to Italy to meet 18-year-old Italian film star Stella’s parents, and recent reports have claimed that she is returning the favour and is planning a trip to Essex to meet Arg’s family too.
And pals say former TOWIE star Gemma, 41 – who is engaged to car dealer Rami, 48 – has been shocked and riled up over how serious things have become between Arg and Stella, given it took years for him to fully commit to her.
A source says, “Gemma initially thought Arg and Stella were just a holiday fling. But finding out that he’s met her family has shown how into each other they are. Knowing Arg has made the effort to jet off to Italy and is now welcoming her into his own family has been a bitter pill to swallow – especially given how little effort he made with her after years of being together, let alone after just a few weeks.
“While Gemma wants Arg to be happy, it’s understandably difficult seeing him move on and be ‘the perfect, doting boyfriend’ to someone else, which is all she ever wanted when they were together.
“The whole thing has just got to her, and Rami can’t seem to understand why she’s even bothered, given they’re happily engaged and planning their own future. It’s caused tension between them.”
After pics first surfaced of a slimmed-down Arg kissing Stella in Marbella in September, insiders told Closer how Gemma found the news “hard to take”.
Gemma and Arg spent a decade together, on and off, after first meeting on TOWIE, but their relationship was plagued by rows, cheating allegations and tragically two miscarriages.
They finally called it quits in July 2021, with Gemma posting screenshots of messages that Arg had sent her to social media where he called her a “fat f**k” and a “hippo”.
Since ending their turbulent relationship, Arg – who is now sober following a long history of alcohol and drug addiction – has turned his life around both mentally and physically, dropping a whopping 14st following a life-saving gastric sleeve operation.
The former couple have also both spoken about how Arg’s drug and alcohol issues impacted their relationship, with Gemma revealing Arg would sometimes “ghost” her for days at a time. Meanwhile, Arg has since credited Gemma for being a big support throughout it all, confirming they were in touch following his relapse in February this year. Meanwhile, Gemma has been busy planning her “Bennifer” style wedding and loving the role as stepmum to Rami’s four- year-old son, Tristan, from his previous marriage.
Now insiders say Rami, who Gemma first dated back in 2011 and then rekindled things with last year, has been frustrated by her obvious anger towards Arg. The source says, “Every time a story surfaces about Arg’s love life, Gemma’s mood changes and she becomes more irritable and a little distant, which Rami picks up on. She’ll brush it off as work stresses or having a bad day, but given it always coincides with news of Arg’s relationships, it’s become clear that she’s affected by it and that sparks insecurities on Rami’s part, amid his fear that she still holds a candle for Arg.
“Their conflict has resulted in silly spats sparked by both of their insecurities, which finally resulted in an honest heart-to-heart between them.
“Gemma has explained that perhaps she’s subconsciously triggered by him still because of the trauma and pain
she endured during their relationship, which doesn’t just disappear overnight. “She’s tried to be as honest and open with Rami – explaining that she’d never want Arg back and how happy she is now. But she admits there’s part of her that still hurts, and is urging for Rami’s understanding.
“Rami’s been amazing as he knows she’s been emotionally scarred, and supports her through everything, but it doesn’t stop him from getting upset and hurt when the woman he loves is showing signs that she’s not over her ex.
“It’s sparked some silly jealous rows, which they’ve managed to work through and Gemma has admitted that continuing a friendship with Arg is perhaps not the best thing for her going forward.”
Earlier this year, Gemma – who’s worth an estimated £3 million – revealed she’s pinned her hopes on a winter wedding at London’s posh five-star hotel, Claridge’s. And while she had toyed with the idea of inviting her ex, pals say she’s decided to leave him off the guest list to avoid putting her relationship at risk.
The source adds, “Gemma really wanted to prove that she and Arg could be great friends and keep him in
her life – healing years of pain and turning it into something positive.
“But given the recent rows with Rami, she’s realised that nothing is worth jeopardising what they have and, while she wishes him all the best, she wants to move forward and marry the love of her life without any reminders of her painful past.”
