TOWIE's James 'Arg' Argent 'says girlfriend Nicole is the one' after finding 'true love'

James 'Arg' Argent has been on quite a journey since his troubled TOWIE days. Now happy and healthy - he's getting serious with Swedish girlfriend Nicoline

James 'Arg' Argent has come a long way since his troubled days tinged with substance abuse on TOWIE. The 36 year old star has made an astonishing turnaround, dropping a colossal 13 stone and tackling his inner turmoil through therapy and rehab. He has reportedly found bliss and "the final piece of his jigsaw" in the arms of former Miss Sweden, sources have claimed.

Apparently smitten, the couple, who crossed paths in sunny Marbella where Nicoline is based and where James often performs with his band, were seen locked in a fervent embrace at a firework display at Woolston Manor in Essex just last week. According to OK!, sources suggest that everything is on the upswing for the pair.

"Historically he's had an issue with commitment," one source claimed. "He had a real problem loving himself, outside and in. But now that he's worked on that relationship, the one with himself, he's been able to have a really healthy relationship with someone else. His relationship with Nicoline really demonstrates how happy he is now. She's a brilliant girl, she's a homebody, she's so not Essex. She's very, very grounded and grounding for Arg. She doesn't court the spotlight and she's very intelligent, she's a breath of fresh air."

The source added: "He's introduced her to Mark [Wright] and she got the thumbs up from him, all his Essex friends are really delighted for him. Arg has good people around him now, and everyone in his life just wants to see him happy. He's been on such a journey with the addiction, and his weight, and his mental health, and those around him couldn't be happier.", reports OK!.

James has been candid about his struggles with substance abuse, revealing that he was "a heavy user for seven years" and had two near-fatal overdoses at his lowest point. He also faced a battle with obesity, peaking at a life-threatening 26st 13lb, which once left him unable to tie his shoelaces. Following gastric sleeve surgery in 2021, James sought help from various fitness and rehab facilities to prevent any relapse. Post-surgery, he confessed: "It felt horrible, I was always extremely uncomfortable, I couldn't look at myself in the mirror."

The source shared that it's his dedication to self-improvement that has allowed him to thrive in his relationship with Nicoline, 31. "His demons prevented him from being in a healthy and happy committed relationship," they said. "He just didn't believe he was worthy of love, and then didn't love in return because of that. He had no foundation but now he's found that. He's really put the work in, he's lost the weight, he's done the therapy, it's been a lot of work but he couldn't be in a better place."

Speculation about James and Nicoline's romance began in September when they were seen sharing a kiss in Saint-Tropez. They made their relationship Instagram official shortly after, with James posting, "I honestly started to think that it might not happen for me but I found you and everything changed! " alongside a cosy snapshot of the couple. While Nicoline responded with "I love you so much, my man, my James", it was another comment that really got his followers talking. "I can't wait for the wedding" posted by Debbie Bright, the mother of his TOWIE ex Lydia Bright.

According to our insider, Debbie's wish might soon come true. "He absolutely thinks she's the one and he wants to marry her," they revealed. "He wants a family, she wants a family, it all adds up. He is the cat who has got the cream. It's genuine love, not just for showbiz. He's been seeking advice from friends about rings and proposals, it's definitely on his mind right now."

James and Nicoline's latest romantic display comes a year after James was reportedly left devastated following his split from his Italian law student girlfriend Stella Turian, 20. Before the breakup, James, who previously had an on-off relationship with fellow TOWIE star Gemma Collins, spoke about how content he was, even suggesting that Stella could be The One, saying, "I would love to get married one day. It's a bit early right now but who knows I could be singing at my own wedding one day."

But now that things with Nicoline are going so well - and she seems to have the approval of James's closest friends, including best mate Mark Wright, who is married to former Corrie actress Michelle Keegan - our source says James is more focused on being a groom than a wedding singer right now. "He's really glad he didn't rush into anything" they revealed, " he sees his friends getting married and having babies and a relationship like the one he has now has been the final missing piece of the jigsaw, and he's found that piece in Nicoline."