James ‘Arg’ Argent looks years younger as he shows off dramatically slimmer figure in laughing snap with close friend Joey Essex
JAMES Argent looks happy, relaxed and a lot younger in a new Instagram snap.
The Towie star shared a joke with good pal Joey Essex in the shot while showing off his dramatically slimmer figure.
He captioned the snap: "Always laughter & Banter with us two together!!!"
Sporting a white T-shirt and shorts, the 29-year-old seemed in good spirits, despite recent reports that his long term future on Towie is in doubt.
The Sun was first to report that he would not be appearing in this season's Towie following his ten-week stint in rehab.
A source said: “Arg loves Towie and was hoping he would make a cameo in the final few episodes of the series.
“But bosses believe after a lengthy stint in a rehab, being rushed back into the fold would not be in the best interests of Arg and other cast members.
“He was also told a full-time return is unlikely, unless there was a dramatic improvement in his lifestyle.”
Arg has embraced being the show’s only remaining “original,” nicknaming himself “The Ian Beale of Towie” in a nod to the veteran EastEnders character, played by Adam Woodyatt.
However, his seven-year run has recently been tainted with absences, his last appearance being towards the later end of 2016.
He checked himself into a self-help rehab facility in Thailand in February in a bid to beat his demons.
A Towie spokeswoman said: "We are pleased that James is home and that he's made such positive progress, however we have mutually agreed that he should take some further time before he returns to Towie fully."