James Argent revealed the secrets to maintaining his incredible 14 stone weight loss as he celebrated two years of sobriety during an appearance in Lorraine on Tuesday.
The former TOWIE star, 36, who weighed 27.5kg before undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in 2021 which reduced him to a slim 14.5kg, smiled as he discussed his plans for 2024 – including hoping that Find the woman of his dreams.
Presenter Lorraine Kelly told James, better known as Arg: “You didn't just lose.” [the weight]“You did the brilliant thing, you persevered through it, because that’s the hardest thing in the world.”
Arg confirmed: “I managed to keep it away,” before Lorraine continued: “You look at this person and think, 'I don't recognize that.'”
The reality star said: “I have a healthy relationship with both food and exercise.” When I set out on my weight loss journey, I told myself it would be this way forever.
James Argent revealed the secrets to maintaining his incredible 14 stone weight loss as he celebrated two years of sobriety during an appearance in Lorraine on Tuesday
The former TOWIE star, 36, weighed 27.5kg before undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in 2021, which reduced him to a slim 14.5kg (pictured in 2019)
Arg also spoke about his sobriety, saying that February will be two years since he last drank alcohol or drugs.
The TV personality also hoped to finally pass his driving test, saying: “I've done many, many attempts at theory but I passed once before Covid but it was over.”
“So that’s my next task. The first is to get clean and sober, and the second is to pass my driving test.”
Arg is a singer and revealed that his Arg band is now his “full-time job” and the group performs across the country.
The band performed on “Marcella” by Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan, and Arg recalled to Lorraine: “We opened the show, so that was fun.”
Arg also touched on his TOWIE days and said he was still best friends with his former co-star and ex-girlfriend Lydia Bright.
He explained: “A lot of people break up after a breakup, but I've only had three girlfriends in my life.” “We've all remained friends and they're still in my life.”
Arg's problems with his weight came to a head shortly after he and Gemma Collins finally ended their rollercoaster relationship.
The reality star said: “I have a healthy relationship with both food and exercise.” When I set out on my weight loss journey, I told myself it would be this way forever
Arg also spoke about his sobriety, saying that February will be two years since he last drank alcohol or drugs
The two briefly dated in 2012 before meeting again in 2017 and dating on and off for three years.
The fiery duo became known for their huge, jaw-dropping blowout fights, most of which were shown on TOWIE to the delight of fans.
Ironically, Arg made numerous innuendos about her weight throughout their relationship, but this resulted in him becoming six pounds heavier than she ever was.
Their final split came after Arg branded 42-year-old Gemma a “hippopotamus” and a “fat idiot”.
Speaking to Piers Morgan's Life Stories in 2021, Gemma said: “I was really happy with Arg. “We got on well but the drugs changed him as a person. I fought every day for three years to make sure he was well.'
When asked to talk about her lowest moment during her struggles, she admitted: “I had suicidal thoughts… I think when my relationship with Arg broke down, that hit me. “I just thought, I don't want to be here anymore . I can not stand.
“Christmas was an all-time low. I saved his life three times. I felt this insatiable love for him. I never wanted to give up on him.'
Arg's problems with his weight came to a head shortly after he and Gemma Collins finally ended their rollercoaster relationship (pictured in 2018).
In January 2023, Arg underwent another operation to remove loose skin, and the procedure caused him “excruciating agony.”
In February he told Web: “I'm more confident in the bedroom now… whether it's romantically, on the beach or in clothes, overall I'm more confident in all those areas now.”
“Whether you are a man or a woman or have the body of your dreams, everyone has certain body parts that they would like to improve or that they don't like, no matter who you are.”
“I have body confidence now.” Don't get me wrong, I still want to improve, go to the gym and strengthen my muscles, but I will be completely confident when summer comes around.
“I went from 27 to 14 kilos, so I lost 13 kilos… I've reached my goal weight, but if I wanted to wear a tight-fitting top I would feel unconscious because of the excess skin around my stomach and sides.”
“I knew I couldn't do anything about my skin with either diet or exercise. “I wanted to still feel safe naked or by the pool.”
Arg ended his long-distance relationship with teenage Italian actress Stella Turian in November 2023.
Meanwhile, Gemma is trying to have a child with her businessman fiancé Rami Hawash, 49, of two years.
Arg ended his long-distance relationship with teenage Italian actress Stella Turian in 2023. (pictured together in 2022)
Gemma, 42, is trying to have a child with her fiancé of two years, Rami Hawash, 49, a businessman