They split up for the umpteenth time after an explosive row in July – but pals tell Closer that James “Arg” Argent is still hoping for another chance with Gemma Collins.
A source says, “Arg has been moping a bit recently and telling friends he wants to get back with Gemma. He’s reached out to her, and while she’s trying to stay strong with her decision to move on, she admits she’s feeling torn because she genuinely does love him and desperately wants her happy ending.”
Since their most recent split – which came about after Gemma, 37, accused Arg, 32, of paying for another woman’s dinner, while he cruelly called her a “hippo” – he’s spent the majority of his time in Marbella, Spain, and was even seen on a night out with Romana Bright, the younger sister of his other TOWIE ex, Lydia Bright.
Meanwhile, Gemma has thrown herself into work projects and was also forced to deny a relationship with family friend Nadir Gul last month, insisting, “The only person I’m in love with is myself.”
Check out: James Argent's weight loss journey from OG TOWIE star to English Channel swimmer
James Argent weight loss journey - slider
1 of 16James 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.
2 of 16James Argent - 2014
James was suspended from the reality show that threw him into the limelight following allegations that he failed a drug test.
3 of 16James 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.
4 of 16James 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.
5 of 16James 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."
6 of 16James 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!"
7 of 16James 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.
8 of 16James 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."
9 of 16James 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.
10 of 16James 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'.
11 of 16James 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.
12 of 16James 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.
13 of 16James 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.
14 of 16James 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".
15 of 16James 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'.
16 of 16James Argent - 2020
While flogging curries on Instagram, Arg showed off his impressive five-stone weight loss.
The source adds, “The last few months have been tough for Gemma. For the first three months of the year, Arg was in rehab in Thailand so she could only speak to him on the phone.
“She stayed loyal and was really supportive, in the hope that things would be better between them when he got back. But after their last fight, she was urged by her friends, family and fans to draw a line under their relationship for good.”
WATCH: Ferne McCann teases TOWIE 10 year reunion 😱
READ MORE
Gemma Collins dresses as 'Mrs Hinch's sofa' and that's our Halloween outfit sorted
Diva Forever Gemma Collins didn't know bills EXISTED until she was 30
TOWIE's Amber Turner launches Boohoo clothing line and we're getting serious Gemma Collins vibes
They continued, “She’s working hard and doing everything she can to take her mind off Arg, so for him to say they could consider giving it another go has thrown her.”
Although Arg’s friends are said to be encouraging him to have another shot at the relationship – saying that Gemma is a “positive influence” on him – she is said to be sticking to her guns for now.
The source adds, “Gemma’s assuring her friends she won’t be going back. The thing is, they’ve heard that from her before!”
Get the best celeb stories each week in Closer magazine.