James Argent undergoing gastric surgery after reaching 26st

He's taking drastic measures

James Argent

by Marianna Manson |
Updated on

Former TOWIE star James ‘Arg’ Argent has revealed he’s going to drastic lengths to slim down after reaching 26 stone by turning to surgery.

Arg has been open about his struggles with his health throughout his adult life, and over lockdown reached his heaviest weight when he gave up exercising and turned to comfort food.

“I don’t want to die. An op is the only way I can lose weight,” he said.

“I see pictures of myself and it’s too upsetting. The other day I had to ask my manager to put my shoes on for me because I just couldn’t do it — my belly is too big. I can’t do up my own shoe laces.”

Back in 2015, Arg attended a 10 week retreat in Thailand and came home a svelte 14 stone, admitting that his goal is to get back to that weight.

CHECK OUT: James Argent weight loss journey

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James Argent weight loss journey - slider

James Argent - 20101 of 16
CREDIT: Getty Images

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.

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CREDIT: Getty Images

James Argent - 2014

James was suspended from the reality show that threw him into the limelight following allegations that he failed a drug test.

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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.

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CREDIT: Getty Images

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.

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CREDIT: Getty Images

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."

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CREDIT: Getty Images

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!"

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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.

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CREDIT: Getty Images

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."

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CREDIT: Getty Images

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.

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CREDIT: Getty Images

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'.

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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.

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CREDIT: Getty Images

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.

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CREDIT: Getty Images

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.

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CREDIT: Instagram / real_arg

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 - 202015 of 16
CREDIT: Instagram /real_arg

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'.

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CREDIT: Instagram / real_arg

James Argent - 2020

While flogging curries on Instagram, Arg showed off his impressive five-stone weight loss.

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“I’ve been told by doctors that I am morbidly obese and need to lose weight, but I have an eating disorder, so I can’t do it,” he continued. “I’ll either starve and work out three times a day and be really skinny, or do no exercise and eat takeaways every day.”

Speaking to The Sun about his decision to go under the knife, he continued, “Nobody is trying to stop me from having an op. Everyone knows it’s the only way I can lose weight.

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“I am having my consultation in a couple of weeks to decide what I’ll do — it’s really scary but it’s for the best and I have to do it to maintain my weight for good.”

Back in October, Arg vowed to “get fit or die trying” when the gyms reopened following the first lockdown.

But he adds, “I’d made some progress last year with my weight loss as I was enjoying boxing and going swimming — but all of a sudden I could no longer do that.

“I don’t have a routine anymore without the gym and I spend a lot of time alone.”

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