James Argent signs up for SAS: Who Dares Wins after losing 14 stone

James Argent has been tapped for the new series SAS: Who Dares Wins, MailOnline can reveal.

The former TOWIE star, 34, who has spoken publicly about his battle with drug addiction, depression and binge eating, has set himself the ultimate physical and mental challenge after losing 14 stones following his life-saving stomach surgery.

A source has exclusively revealed that James is “determined” to make it to the end of the course and wants to prove he’s capable of taking on the most grueling show on TV.

An insider of the show told MailOnline: “James has been through so much in his life, but now after months of recovery and working on himself, he is ready for a challenge of this magnitude.

“It’s not just the physical aspect of the show for James, he’s being tested mentally and given the chance to talk about everything he’s been through over the years.

“The producers of SAS are always looking for celebrities who have a story to tell and are willing to seize the opportunity – James is the perfect signature.”

MailOnline has reached out to a spokesperson for James and a Channel 4 representative for comment.

In 2021, James underwent ‘life-saving’ stomach surgery and has since lost more than 14 stones.

He decided to have the surgery after his weight fluctuated after his seven-year battle with depression and substance abuse.

The reality star has spoken openly about his cocaine and food addiction struggles, previously saying he feared “he was eating himself to death.”

James entered a rehabilitation clinic in Thailand in 2020, where he spent 10 weeks recovering from two near-fatal overdoses.

In May 2020, he said, “I am now in my 30s and I have fully accepted that my life had become completely unmanageable a) with drugs and b) with my eating disorder.”

Last week, MailOnline revealed that James had moved forward in his love life after falling for Italian actress Stella Turian.

Sources revealed that James is “shit” with Stella, who is 16 years his junior, after the couple met in Mykonos three months ago while attending a friend’s wedding.

The star’s new romance marks a new chapter in his life and is his first foray into dating since the end of his on-again, off-again relationship with former TOWIE co-star Gemma Collins.

“James and Stella are in love, they fell in love when they met and have spent as much time together as possible since then,” a source told MailOnline last week.

“This is a big deal for James – he hasn’t been in a relationship for years because he’s been working on himself and now he’s finally ready to share his life with someone.”