However it's now being alleged that a much more serious reason is behind his temporary exit.
The Sun reported today how Arg, 26, tested positive for cocaine, after bosses asked him to submit a test, leaving them with no choice but to put him on a break.
A source said: "There have been concerns over Arg's behaviour and this escalated when he went missing.
"He has been doing really well but, unfortunately, he failed a text for cocaine. So they had no choice but to suspend him.
"Having him on the show has to be in his best interest, and ours. He would be a loss to us, but at the end of the day no one is bigger than the show."
Meanwhile in last week's TOWIE, Arg blasted on/off girlfriend Lydia Bright for nagging him.
He told friends: "Lydia has been driving me mad. She keeps banging on at me about why I should have done all of this sooner."
Lydia was equally as annoyed with Arg, telling her mum Debbie: "James is doing my head in. He is so frustrating as a person. We got on well in Ibiza because he showed me his mature side. I was really starting to see a future for us.
"But since we've been home, it's like he was just feeding me a bunch of lies."