It seemed like James Argent had finally found 'The One' after admitting he’d love to get hitched to his girlfriend Stella Turian last month. But the star’s hopes of a happy ending were dashed after it was reported he’d broken up with the Italian law student last week.
According to pals, “heartbroken” Arg struggled to make it work because of the long distance, adding there were “no hard feelings between the pair”.
But a source says those closest to the TOWIE favourite – in particular, his ex-girlfriend Lydia Bright and her mum Debbie – fear his heartbreak could lead him back to his “old ways”.
“Lydia and Debbie are obviously very concerned and rallying around him,” an insider tells .
“He’s been back on track for a while now, but when something bad happens, he can go back to his old ways. He’s been through so much, and they’re worried he might turn to old habits after doing so well.”
The wedding singer, 35, has battled drink and drug addiction since finding fame on TOWIE in 2010, previously revealing that his loved ones worry “he will die”.
In 2020, their greatest fear almost became a reality after Arg suffered two drug overdoses while hooked on cocaine.
His then on-off girlfriend Gemma Collins, 42, had to call for an ambulance on both occasions.
Arg was then forced to have life-saving gastric sleeve surgery in 2021 after indulging in fizzy drinks and takeaways, and lost 13 stone as a result.
He said he was using drugs – as well as booze and food – to cover up the heartbreak he felt through struggling to hold down a romance.
Lydia, who was in an on-off relationship with Arg since 2008, finally called time on their relationship in 2016 after he relapsed.
The pair have since managed to repair their relationship, with Arg declaring he’s “lucky to have her in my life and for us to be such close friends”.
Lydia added that she’ll “always be grateful for what he did for me in my life”, later telling new she was “proud” of how her ex has turned his life around following his impressive stint on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
But while the wedding singer is now sober, he admits there’s always “that fear of potentially relapsing”.
“I have been through a hell of a lot, and it’s taken a lot to get to the place where I am now,” Arg said.
“There are days where I still struggle and feel down but now, I have the tools to use when I am going through those difficult time”.
Arg previously revealed 19-year-old Stella, who lives on a ski resort in the Italian mountains, had been understanding of the substance abuse issues he’s faced in the past.
Speaking about the brunette, who he met in Mykonos in 2022, Arg gushed that “sometimes I have to pinch myself to remind myself this is all really happening.”
But while friends think there’s little chance of reconciliation between the pair, Arg is trying his best to take his mind off the break up.
“Arg is keeping himself busy but he’s obviously upset and wears his heart on his sleeve,” adds our source. “It’s definitely over though – it was just too difficult with the long distance.”
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