James Argent reveals the secrets to maintaining his incredible 14 stone weight loss as he celebrates two years of sobriety

James Argent revealed the secrets to maintaining his incredible 14 stone weight loss as he celebrated two years of sobriety during a performance in Lorraine on Tuesday.

The former TOWIE star, 36, who weighed 27.5 stone before undergoing stomach surgery in 2021, got him down to a trim of 14.5 stone, and smiled as he discussed his plans for 2024 – including hoping to marry the wife of to find his dreams.

Host Lorraine Kelly told James, known as Arg: “You haven't just lost (the weight), you've done something brilliant, you've kept it off because that's the hardest thing in the world.”

Arg confirmed: “I managed to hold it off,” before Lorraine continued: “You look at that person and think, 'I don't recognize that'.”

The reality star said: 'I have a healthy relationship with both food and exercise. When I started the weight loss journey, I told myself it would last forever.

Arg also discussed his sobriety, saying that February will mark two years since he last touched alcohol or drugs.

The TV personality also hoped to finally pass his driving test, he says: 'I have had many attempts at the theory, but I succeeded once before Covid, but it was gone.

“So that's my next thing, number one was getting clean and sober and two is passing my driving test.”

Arg is a singer and revealed that his Arg Band is now his 'full-time job', with the group performing across the country.

The band played to Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan's 'Marcella', and Arg recalled to Lorraine: “We opened the show, so that was fun.”

Arg also opened up about his TOWIE days and said he is still best friends with former co-star and ex-girlfriend Lydia Bright.

He explained: 'When a lot of people go through a breakup they really cut off contact, but I've only had three girlfriends in my life. We all remained friends and they are 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 two dated briefly in 2012 before reuniting in 2017 and dating on and off for three years.

The fiery duo became known for their huge, breathtaking blowout fights, most of which were depicted on TOWIE, much to the delight of fans.

Ironically, during their relationship, Arg made numerous references to her weight, putting him six stone heavier than he had ever been before.

Their final split came after Arg called Gemma, 42, a 'hippo' and a 'fat bastard'.

Speaking about Piers Morgan's Life Stories in 2021, Gemma said: 'I was really happy with Arg. We got along well, but the drugs changed him as a person. I fought every day for three years to get him better.'

When asked to discuss her lowest moment during their struggles, she admitted: “I've felt suicidal… I think when my relationship with Arg ended, that affected me. I just thought: I don't want to be here anymore. I can not handle it.

“Christmas was an all-time low. I saved his life three times. I had an insatiable love for him. I never wanted to give him up.'

In January 2023, Arg underwent further surgery to remove loose skin, and the procedure left him in 'pain'.

He told MailOnline in February: 'I'm now confident in the bedroom… whether it's romantic, at the beach or in clothes, across the board I'm now more confident in all those areas.

'Whether you're a man or a woman or have a dream body from the outside, everyone has certain parts of their body that they would like to improve, or that they don't like, no matter who you are.

'I have self-confidence now. Don't get me wrong, I still want to improve and go to the gym and get more strength, but I will definitely be confident when summer comes.

'I went from 27 stone to 14 stone, so I lost 13 stone… I reached my target weight, but when I wanted to wear a tight-fitting top I felt conscious because of my excess skin around my stomach and sides.'

'I knew there was nothing I could do about my skin with diet or exercise. I still wanted to feel confident, naked or around the pool.'

Arg ended his long-distance relationship with Italian teen actress Stella Turian in November 2023.

Meanwhile, Gemma is trying to have a baby with her fiancé of two years, Rami Hawash, 49, a businessman.