It’s not easy navigating life in the spotlight—especially when your past and present relationships are constantly under scrutiny.
James Argent, best known for his rollercoaster ride on The Only Way Is Essex, is once again making headlines—but this time, it’s not just about his love life.
From legal troubles to emotional confessions, the reality star is setting the record straight.
“I’ll Always Be Close to Lydia—But It’s Not Romantic”
James Argent is making one thing very clear: despite how close he is to ex-girlfriend Lydia Bright, a romantic reunion is not on the cards.
The two dated on and off for over a decade and have remained in each other’s lives. In fact, James says they still speak on the phone daily.
But fans hoping for a rekindling of their school sweetheart romance are out of luck.
“We’re just friends,” Arg insisted. “It’s all water under the bridge now.”
Nicoline’s Cryptic Post Sparked a Heated Fight
Things got messy recently when James’s most recent ex, Swedish beauty queen Nicoline Artursson, posted a not-so-subtle message on social media.
The post questioned whether it’s acceptable for someone to stay close to their ex and even their family.
It was widely interpreted as a dig at James’s relationship with Lydia.
What followed was an argument during their holiday in Spain that turned violent.
James admitted to shoving Nicoline during the row—a moment that led to a court case, a six-month suspended prison sentence, and a two-year restraining order.
Nicoline is now legally protected from contact by James, who pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges.
Arg Insists: “I’m Still Sober”
Given his troubled past with drugs and alcohol, fans were quick to question if this recent incident meant a relapse. But James put those rumors to rest.
“I haven’t relapsed,” he said. “I’m still three years and four months clean and sober.
I’m absolutely devastated by what’s happened.”
Arg’s journey to sobriety hasn’t been easy. He’s previously suffered two near-fatal overdoses and spent time in rehab.
But since 2022, he’s been committed to clean living, thanks in part to gastric band surgery and a renewed focus on health.
Inside Arg’s Rocky Love Life
Nicoline Artursson
James’s whirlwind romance with Nicoline began in July 2023 after a chance meeting in a Spanish supermarket.
He was instantly smitten. “She was just in gym clothes, no makeup, feeding a stray cat,” he recalled. “She was beautiful.”
Despite opening up about his darkest struggles on their first date—including his addiction history—Nicoline didn’t run.
The two quickly became serious, and friends believed they were soulmates.
Just weeks ago, insiders claimed Arg was even planning to propose.
But things took a sharp turn in Spain, and their romance ended in violence and heartbreak.
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu
More recently, James has been linked to Celebrity Big Brother alum Ekin-Su.
The pair became close after she was eliminated from the show, with Arg offering support during a tough time filled with public backlash and media criticism.
Though they haven’t gone public as a couple, their bond has reportedly grown stronger.
“They’re practically neighbors and have spent a lot of time together,” a source shared.
“They’ve kissed, there’s chemistry—but they’re taking it slow.”
Ekin-Su, fresh off her split from Davide Sanclimenti, has since moved on with dancer Curtis Pritchard.
But her brief connection with Arg sparked plenty of speculation.
Stella Turian
James also had a year-long romance with 19-year-old Stella Turian—a relationship that raised eyebrows due to their 16-year age gap.
The couple traveled together and shared their love openly on Instagram.
But by November 2023, things fizzled out. This past Valentine’s Day hit Arg particularly hard.
He admitted to feeling lonely, even skipping social media because it made him feel worse.
“I went to do a food shop, and every aisle had a dine-in-for-two deal,” he said. “It just hit me… but I got through it.”
Gemma Collins
Perhaps his most publicly dramatic relationship was with fellow TOWIE star Gemma Collins.
Their on-again, off-again romance ended for good in 2020, following years of turmoil fueled by James’s addiction struggles.
Gemma has been vocal about how hard those years were, even saying she saved James’s life multiple times.
“I fought every day for three years to get him well,” she revealed, adding that the relationship eventually turned toxic due to his drug use.
Their final split came when Arg suggested they have an open relationship, which proved to be the last straw for Gemma.
A Hard-Fought Path to Recovery
James’s past has been anything but smooth. From being suspended from TOWIE in 2014 for a failed drug test to spending time in rehab—including three months in Thailand—he’s had to fight hard to get back on track.
Now, more than three years clean and sober, he’s focusing on himself and his music career.
With The Arg Band, he’s found a new rhythm—and hopefully, more stability.
Despite his rocky history, James Argent seems committed to personal growth.
Whether or not love is in the cards, he’s determined not to fall back into old patterns.