The Only Way Is Marbella got off to a dramatic start last night when one of TOWIE’s most longstanding couples dramatically split.
Danielle Armstrong called time on her relationship with boyfriend James Lockie, citing his temper and cruel behaviour as her reason for finally walking away.
The break up shockingly came as Lockie prepared to propose to his girlfriend of nearly 2 years.
Early in the episode, Danielle confided in pal Chloe Sims that all was not well between the pair.
Danielle told Chloe through her tears: “He’s been a nightmare, why do I put up with it? He’s awful to me. I’ve been putting put a front on. It's such hard work.”
Things soon came to head during a romantic dinner date in the Spanish resort.
As Lockie nervously prepared to pop the question, Danielle threw a spanner into the works as she called time on their relationship all together.
She explained to him: “I can’t remember a good thing you’ve done for me. It’s got to the point where it’s gone too far. I just feel like we can’t be together right now. I’m so down - you’ve pushed me so far, I can’t see a way out of it.”
Danielle explained that she had been keeping her feelings to herself for months, and that Lockie’s recent abusive texts had been the last straw.
The 27-year-old messaged Danielle, also 27, a series of unpleasant texts when he was locked out of the couple’s house.
Earlier in the episode at the pool party, Danielle set the tone for the holiday by putting Lockie in his place over the incident.
She said: “The things you text me were disgusting. Someone who’s supposed to love me and want to spend the rest of my life with me! What have I ever done to you to get you this angry?”